THIRTEEN countries from the Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (Cioff) are participating in the Philippines' 1st International Folklore Festival in Koronadal City, which started August 9 until August 18.
The week-long celebration features 16 groups of performers, four from the Philippines and 12 from foreign countries.
The performers include groups from PNU Sining Dance Troupe, Slovenia, Poland, Chinese Taipei, Armenia, India, UP Filipiniana Dance Group, Mexico, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Russia, Philippine Barangay Folkdance Troupe, Japan, Thailand, and Eco Dance Co of the Philippines.
"This is not just an ordinary festival. For me, this is very historic. First in the Philippines," said lawyer Francis D. Tolentino, chair of Metro Manila Development Authority, in his speech during the opening program Monday.
Cioff is an international organization that comprises more than 50 countries to date and is accredited with the Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) international cultural heritage committee.
For the past years, the Cioff had coordinated with these countries to organize about 250 festivals in various parts of the world, featuring at least 50,000 artists.
In an interview, Leticia Bulotano Wheeler, Northern American representative to Cioff, said "Philippines has long been a member of Cioff, since 1980. But there was no corresponding activity afterwards."
Through the iniative of Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, the hosting for this year's festival was granted to the city when he went to Germany to bid for the event.
Miguel said what really helped them claim the hosting is the evident conservation of the Blaan tribe's culture.
"For a country to be a member of the organization, it must have a well preserve indigenous sector to contribute for the international sharing of culture, music, and color," Wheeler said.
"In our city, they (Blaans) are not forgotten." said Miguel, adding that with the advent of modernization, some tribal groups are losing their identity.
"By doing this festival, the Blaans will realize that there is really something that we should be proud of," the city mayor said.
"We are now innovating them. Hindi na pwede yung, ‘Blaan lang kasi ako’ this time it is, ‘Blaan talaga ako!’ Kailangang mataas yung tingin natin sa sarili natin. This is what it is all about. Bringing the esteem of the people higher, so that we will have more confidence, more opportuinities later on."" he added.
The festival dubbed as the Pyesta Kolon Datal in honor of the origin of the city is celebrated as one with the Cioff's 45th anniversary.
Francis Sablon, assistant festival director, said "The festival can open to the world a different meaning of what the city has been tagged for a long time. It aims to show them that we live in a peaceful community."