Crossing Boundaries
Crossing Boundaries Through Rhythms of Life by Wennie France G. Biron
The Philippine archipelago is composed of 7, 107 islands, 17 regions, 81 provinces and 136 cities. (Based on NCSB Press Release) Each of these places has varied (by that I mean, has their truly owned) history and culture. Each locality has their unique tradition. But what makes them unified despite this diversity is their shared passion for both music and dance.
Being a member of a cultural performing group in the most prestigious university in our country, deepened not only my interest in dancing but also intensified my love and respect to the traditions and legends behind our local arts and culture, more over to our so-called ethnic dances. Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (also widely-known as Kontra-Gapi) which was founded by Professor Pedro “Edru” Abraham, Jr. is the resident ethnic music and dance ensemble of the College of Arts and Letters in the University of the Philippines. For almost 20 years of its existence, it aspired and continues to promote Philippine and South-East Asian culture and also aims to rekindle people’s awareness of this unifying element in the country or even in the world. Upon seeing them perform for the first time during the Freshmen Welcome Assembly in the university year 2003, I was enthralled by their superfluous spirit and tremendous appeal. I became a member since then after dedicating hours of after-school trainings. It was a tough job for a freshman but I was able to do so with the help of supportive friends whom I share parallel passion with dance and music. The group travels around the Philippines and abroad, conducting revealing and eye-opening seminars, workshops and performances. Since I was an infant they have been performing for different walks of life, from the gentry to the needy, but the group has never grown tired of reaching them from any part of the globe. Traveling with the group for almost five years enlightened me much more about how
The Philippine archipelago is composed of 7, 107 islands, 17 regions, 81 provinces and 136 cities. (Based on NCSB Press Release) Each of these places has varied (by that I mean, has their truly owned) history and culture. Each locality has their unique tradition. But what makes them unified despite this diversity is their shared passion for both music and dance.
Being a member of a cultural performing group in the most prestigious university in our country, deepened not only my interest in dancing but also intensified my love and respect to the traditions and legends behind our local arts and culture, more over to our so-called ethnic dances. Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (also widely-known as Kontra-Gapi) which was founded by Professor Pedro “Edru” Abraham, Jr. is the resident ethnic music and dance ensemble of the College of Arts and Letters in the University of the Philippines. For almost 20 years of its existence, it aspired and continues to promote Philippine and South-East Asian culture and also aims to rekindle people’s awareness of this unifying element in the country or even in the world. Upon seeing them perform for the first time during the Freshmen Welcome Assembly in the university year 2003, I was enthralled by their superfluous spirit and tremendous appeal. I became a member since then after dedicating hours of after-school trainings. It was a tough job for a freshman but I was able to do so with the help of supportive friends whom I share parallel passion with dance and music. The group travels around the Philippines and abroad, conducting revealing and eye-opening seminars, workshops and performances. Since I was an infant they have been performing for different walks of life, from the gentry to the needy, but the group has never grown tired of reaching them from any part of the globe. Traveling with the group for almost five years enlightened me much more about how
References: NCSB Press Relese on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines Villaruz, Basilio Esteban S. “Philippine Ethnic Dances.” published on http://www.ncca.gov.ph/ about_cultarts/comarticles.php?artcl_Id=122 (2002)