UPLIFT II : Building Bridges

Last February 6, 2015 the UP Filipiniana Dance Group was invited to participate in UPLIFT 2: Building Bridges presented by the UPD Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts which was held at the University of the Philippines Theater. UPLIFT 2 showcased thirteen (13) of UP Diliman's acclaimed and multi-awarded official performing groups including the UP Concert Chorus, Dulaang UP, UP Dance Company, UP Filipiniana, UP Guitar Ensemble, UP Jazz Ensemble, UP Kontra-Gapi, UP Orchestra, UP Repertory Company, UP Rondalla, UP Singing Ambassadors, UP Streetdance Club and the UP Pep Squad that all came together for an evening of world class music, dance, and theater performances. This was also a special thanksgiving concert to celebrate the efforts and triumphs of our performing groups and other UPD organizations and units in building bridges and enabling communities. The UP Filipiniana collaborated with two other performing groups namely the UP Rondalla, an official performing group of the Music Education Department of the U.P. College of Music and the UP Singing Ambassadors, one of the Philippines’ foremost choral groups today under Conductor/Founder Ed Manguiat.

The UP Filipiniana Dance Group which is known as the official folk dance group of the University showcased a traditional Philippine folk dance known as the Tinikling. This was their first appearance of the night which was led by the musical string instruments of the UP Rondalla while the UP Filipiniana managed a full cast performance and together were applauded for their Grand Tinikling. This was an appealing collaboration as the two groups engaged on Philippine culture and a historic performance which everyone could appreciate and relate to as the Tinikling is well known as an energizing skilled dance accompanied by accelerating music.

For the group’s second appearance for UPLIFT 2, they moved the audience with a modern contemporary piece choreographed by the Director himself Mr. Peter Alcedo Jr. This piece was performed to the tune of “Tunay na Ligaya” originally sung by Basil Valdez and composed by Ryan Cayabyab but again the UP Filipiniana teamed up with one of the most acclaimed choral groups in Diliman, the UP Singing Ambassadors (also known as UPSA ) as they sung their rendition of “Tunay na Ligaya.” As the dancers gracefully moved to the live voices of UPSA, it was a mesmerizing moment for everyone because it fed the souls not only of the performers but the entire audience. Hosts of the event were explicit and kept the vitality of the concert going from beginning to end. The whole concert was filled with energy and exceptional performances as all of the participating groups rendered their best efforts to entertain and serve their co-iskolar’s especially the UP Officials who attended and supported the event.  Some of the VIP’s who were invited were Dr. Benito M. Pacheco; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Virginia C. Yap; Vice Chancellor for Administration, Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo; Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan; Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Nestor T. Castro; Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs and UP Diliman’s Chancellor Dr. Michael Lim Tan.

UPLIFT 2: Building Bridges made a mark this Arts Month as it summarized the talents of UP Diliman and uplifted the souls of those who witnessed pure talent onstage. OICA promises to bring back more of these showcased talents every year during Diliman Arts Month and the UP Filipiniana Dance Group will certainly look forward to next year’s UPLIFT 3.