PH exhibits Filipino folk dances at Venice Carnival

The Philippines made its debut at the Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) as it performed an array of Filipino folk dances in Venice, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan said Sunday.

The Carnival is an annual festival in Venice featuring elaborate masquerade clothes and masks.

With 36 dancers from three dance troupes, the Philippines had a 30-minute performance at the Piazza San Marco on Saturday.

For the first time, the Philippines joined the annual Venice Carnival. Photo courtesy: Philippine Consulate General in Milan

The London-based Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company staged various dances from different parts of the Philippines, while the Filipino Community of Vicenza presented the Bulaklakin, a dance performed with floral garlands.

Milan, Italy Consul General Elmer Cato said the Philippines’ participation in the Carnival was an important part of the Consulate’s effort to raise the Philippines’ profile in Italy.

“We hope that with our participation in the Carnevale, we would get more Italian and other foreigners to take a second look at the Philippines and see what it has to offer,” Cato said.

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, there are almost 200,000 Filipinos in Italy. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG, GMA Integrated News