Dance Manila

OBSERV ASIA Contemporary Dance Concert
July 20- De La Salle University-Manila, Philippines
by: Laurice Arguelles

The show is opened by two of the most prestigious dance companies in the Philippines, De La Salle Dance Company Contemporary and Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company. The event set the mood by opening the show with a piece inspired by water.

Both groups featured artistry and showcased Filipino culture through a mixed of Filipiniana repertoire and danced in the tune of mainstream tagalog songs like “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan” and the most sang karaoke song “Halik” by Aegis. The prowess of a woman and a piece that featured pain and fear were performed individually by La Salle’s outstanding male and female soloists.

The highlight of the show is the piece of National University of Singapore (NUS) Dance Ensemble that interprets the life of being in a workplace. People walk then work. It also represents some characters that you meet in an actual work place. Movements using office chairs display the relationship and somewhat attachment to an object that one uses everyday at work. In the entire ‘office’ segment, variation of movements are mostly unified and featured transitions. Towards the end of the piece, the characters unleashed the colors of their skin represented by colorful and comfty attire. The switch of feelings, fluidity, and freedom of movements became evident in the later part of the piece. It ended with exhausted characters looking at different directions.

The show is ended with a 15-minute post show talk and discussed about dance inspirations behind Asian dance cultures. According to NUS, the unique characteristic of Asian dancers is being able to dance with spirit. This characteristic may have been influenced by Asian religions that somehow reflects mystical feel.The main message of the show is the importance of getting to know the layers of being Asian and realize the importance of being connected despite nuances and borders.

This project is presented by De La Salle Dance Company Contemporary and Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company in coordination with De La Salle Culture and Arts Office. De La Salle Dance Companies is set to perform in Singapore in January 2013.