TWENTY-THREE dance groups representing their respective cities and municipalities will grace the stage in the much-anticipated Panaad sa Negros Festival Philippine Folk Dance Competition on April 18 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
As part of the Panaad Silver Anniversary celebration, the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company will have a special performance at the competition.
Bayanihan is a multi-awarded dance company, which has been receiving national and international awards.
It was founded by Dr. Helena Benitez in 1956 and is considered as the oldest dance company in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the 2018 Folk Dance Competition participants will perform Philippine folk dances categorized into Maria Clara and Rural dances.
The LGUs that will join in the Maria Clara Category are Salvador Benedicto, Isabela, Talisay City, Binalbagan, Cadiz City, San Carlos City, Bago City, Sagay City and Escalante City, while those that will compete in the Rural Category are Valladolid, Sipalay City, Bacolod City, Moises Padilla, Hinoba-an, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, Victorias City, Pulupandan, Silay City, Toboso, Murcia, Cauayan, and Calatrava.
The competition has been one of the crowd-drawer events of Panaad through the years.
It aims to create and develop awareness and interest in the Philippine folk dances.
It also serves as an avenue for Negrense folk dance enthusiasts to maximize their potential and to rekindle the nationalistic sentiments and appreciate the unique culture, thus instilling the spirit of patriotism to Filipinos.
The competition will have three major awards and five consolation prizes for each category. Three special awards - Best in Performance, Best Trainer, and Best in Costume – be given.
Last year, the city of Victorias won in the rural category, while the municipality of Binalbagan bagged the top spot in the Maria Clara category. (PR)