NCCA Celebrates International Dance Day this April

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) – National Committee on Dance is bringing Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival in Puerto Princesa, Palawan from April 11 to 14.

This is in celebration of International Dance Day in April this year.

Shirley Halili-Cruz, head of NCCA-NCD, said that Dance Xchange will be graced by various Filipino and international dance artists. She added that this event will hold concerts, workshops, artists’ forum and dance performances which will be conducted by dance directors and dancers.

“Dance Xchange is a grand celebration of dance as we participate in the International Dance Day. There will be masters classes, cultural tours and many beautiful performances,” Halili-Cruz said in a press conference held last March 25 at The Terrace of Maxim hotel.

The press conference was also attended by NCCA Executive Director Emelita Almosara, CESO IV and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

All PEHM teachers, PE professors and instructors, dance teachers, dancers, choreographers, cultural officers, tourism officers and festival organizers of the different local government units are invited to take part in this spectacular event.

Please find detailed information at the NCCA website.

Through the 4 years of its implementation, Dance Xchange has engaged many dance groups from different countries, thus, making this event truly an international cultural destination every April.

With the theme “Cultural Connectivity Through Dance,” the event aims to “strengthen network among dance groups in the ASEAN and beyond; enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, dance teachers and choreographers on dances of the different countries; showcase the unique dances of each country to enhance cultural understanding; provide venue for interaction and facilitate learning among dancers, directors, dance teachers, choreographers; and harness the potential of the Philippines to be a cultural destination in Asia.”

Dance Xchange is also in celebration of International Dance Day, created under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris and held all over the world by the International Theater Institute (ITI) on April 29, and the Philippine National Dance Week, which is on the fourth week of April every year as declared by Proclamation No. 154 “to bring together dancers to demonstrate and realize the function of dance in the society and in the rest of the world.”

Expected to participate are dance companies from Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, England, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Taiwan and Vietnam.

They will be joined by 22 dance companies from all over the Philippines. Dance Xchange has been held for five years now—2009 in Dumaguete City, 2010 in Roxas City, Capiz, 2011 in Metro Manila and 2012 in Cebu City. (RJB/Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang-PIA-NCR/NCCA)