Bayanihan bags grand prize in Turkey dance contest

The internationally-renowned Bayanihan Dance Troupe bagged the grand prize in the folkloric dance competition of the 8th Buyukcekmece International Culture and Art Festival in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7. Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim A. Guinomla reported Bayanihan’s latest achievement to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday. Known as the Philippine national folk dance company, Bayanihan bested groups from 26 countries, with Bulgaria and Thailand placing second and third, respectively. The group’s choreographer, Ferdinand Jose, was also adjudged as the competition’s best choreographer. Before the competition, the participating groups each gave a 20-minute presentation for the preliminary judging phase where Bayanihan performed its piece de resistance, the Singkil. Ambassador Guinomla said the “amazing" performance that enthralled the more than 5,000 spectators made Bayanihan the undisputed crowd favorite to win first prize. After winning the Buyukcekmece competition, the dance troupe proceeded to the province of Bursa to join International Golden Karagoz dance festival where it was expected to receive the same acclaim and reception, Ambassador Guinomla said. On April 15, Bayanihan also brought home the much-coveted Absolute Winner award, besting 50 dance groups from all over the world, in the recent 12th World Folkdance Festival in Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Started in 1985, the Spanish festival is held every two years and is one of the most important in Europe. Highlight of the festival is the international competition where excellent performance by the dance groups, with emphasis on the authenticity of their presentations, are judged. Bayanihan sent a 27-man delegation, headed by its director Suzie Moya Benitez, Isabel Santos, Ferdinand Jose and Melito Vale Cruz, to Madrid from the Kingdom of Bahrain where they participated in the Spring of Culture Festival. Founded in 1957 by former Assemblywoman Helena Z. Benitez, Bayanihan had its debut at the Brussels World Fair in May 1958 in which it was adjudged among the top from 13 dance companies that performed. Since then, Bayanihan has mounted tours across the globe, captivating audiences every where they go with their graceful and flawless movements in their interpretation of various folk dances from all over the Philippines. Bayanihan holds the distinction of being the oldest dance company in the Philippines and. A multi-award winning company here and abroad, Bayanihan has awakened a new pride among Filipino in their cultural heritage, added a new dimension to the country's dance tradition and built a rich reserve of international goodwill. - GMANews.TV