Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 21 | Page 21

November 1 - 15, 2018
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
21
Canada’s Premiere Filipino Performing Arts Group
takes the stage in celebration of its
25th year anniversary
Vancouver, BC, Canada -
Internationally recognized Filipino
Performing
Folk
Arts
Group,
Kababayang Pilipino (KP) celebrates
its 25th year anniversary in a special
commemorative presentation, “Tatak”
on November 23rd and 24th, 2018 at
the Vancouver Playhouse in Vancouver.
The Vancouver based group will
showcase the beloved folk dances and
music of the Philippines, a country
that features a broad spectrum of
dance styles and influences including
indigenous, Arabic-Malayan, Spanish
and western vestiges.
“Tatak” is the Tagalog word for
signature, or brand, and it is a fitting
theme to celebrate KP’s 25 years of
existence. The repertoire will feature
brand new, original works created
by KP’s resident choreographers.
The pieces are rooted and inspired
by traditional Filipino folk dance
movement, and will be an expression
of the connection that the artist has
between the past and the present.
Daring, bold and unapologetic, the
new works explore what it means
to be a folk dance practitioner in a
contemporary world, as a Filipino
artist not living in their homeland.
The folk dance classics will always be
present, but in “Tatak”, the performing
artists attempt to answer the question
of “What’s next?”.
“Tatak” will feature new work,
including five world premieres, as well
as one Canadian premiere, created by
four of KP’s resident choreographers.
“It was really important to push
ourselves with this program, to honour
where we have come from but also to
show who we are today, and where
we are wanting to go”, said Randy
Romero, Artistic Director.
With an ensemble of over 60
members comprised mainly of first
generation
Filipino-Canadians,
Kababayang Pilipino is dedicated to
the promotion and preservation of
the Filipino folk heritage through its
presentation of dance and music.
Conceived for youth, by youth, this
vibrant group provides the opportunity
for its members to educate themselves
and in turn, educate the community
at large about the rich history and
culture of the Filipino.
About Kababayang Pilipino
Since 1993, Kababayang Pilipino
has been wowing its audiences with
its dynamic and dramatic traditional
Filipino
dance
interpretations
complemented by its authentic and
brilliant costuming and fiery live
musical accompaniment. Under the
continuing direction of, Randy Romero,
Kababayang Pilipino continues to
push the boundaries, taking what
is essentially folk and making it
contemporary and relevant. From its
desire to discovering new horizons,
while committing to preserving the
authenticity of its presentations,
Kababayang Pilipino, while always
looking back to its new roots,
continues to propel itself forward as
WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM
one of the premiere performing folk
arts groups in Canada.