GLIMPSES OF THE PHILIPPINES SHOW IS TALK OF THE TOWN

“GLIMPSES OF THE PHILIPPINES” received a standing ovation and rave reviews from the more than five hundred people who attended the show on Sunday, November 5th, at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa. 

The show presented an extravaganza of breathtaking and colorful Philippine folk dances presented by the members of the Philippine Performing Arts Company and the INDAK PAMBATA, choreographed by Ren Candelario, Kamille Janess, Judy Sibayan, Jenette Cruz, and Jonathan Sibayan. 

The Musikong Kawayan Bamboo provided music Orchestra, conducted by Nhick Ramiro-Pacis. At the same time, Philippine songs led by Connie Chanrasmi and sung by the Philippine Choral Group members, echoed at the grand Sampaguita Ballroom of the center.

Dancers, young and old, weave in and out of the stage with quick changes, wearing colorful costumes and an array of dances, glimpsing different cultures from the many Philippine islands. The show opens with glimpses into the mountain provinces of the Philippines that the Spanish colonizers called “Cordilleras.” Then, it gave the audience a glimpse of the Philippines during the 15th century when the country was under Spanish rule, with fabulous Spanish-looking costumes and dances with powerful Castilian influence—then followed with a glimpse of dances from the southern island of Mindanao with spectacular glittering, colorful dances with strong Hindu-Malayan and Arabic influence. Between these dances, the bamboo orchestra played original musical Philippine compositions of Nhick Pacis, and the choral group sang old familiar songs that brought back many memories in the Philippines. The grand finale was a spectacular medley of rural dances depicting Filipino people’s lives and hearts, in a specially choreographed conclusion by Ren Candelario and Kamille Janess, called “Pastoral Suite,” an original composition by Nhick Pacis.

“This is one of the best cultural shows we have seen in a long time here at the center,” said Nenita Sweet.

“I am so proud of my daughter Claire, who was born here in the United States and now dancing so beautifully, dances from her parent’s roots, the Philippines,” said Dino Pamplona

The Philippine Performing Arts Company and INDAK PAMBATA would like to thank the community and all the sponsors, including the New York Yankees, for their support of the show. 

The show was a fundraising event presented by the Cultural Affairs of the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. to raise funds for the completion and renovation of the Barangay Pavilion, which will be the home of these three cultural groups of the foundation.