Reflections on the Philippines

From Artistic Director Trey McIntyre:

Landing in the Philippines was probably the gentlest way for this group of Americans to have their first experience in an Asian country. Most everyone spoke English and the excellent staff at the Cultural Center of the Philippines made our time there very smooth.

Our first cultural interaction was with the dancers and students from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group in Manila. Our tour bus was greeted by young dancers outside the studio in traditional garb, dancing and playing music. It was a moving welcome and a great start to two days of intense training, learning the basics of many of their traditional dances. 

Later in the week, we traveled to Iloilo and met with indigenous dancers from the Panay-Bukidnon region. Many of them had traveled for more than a day on foot to be with us...including an 84-year-old woman who was so full of childlike joy and wonder. She was an inspiring person to meet. 

Many master classes and delicious meals later, we ended our week in the Philippines with a performance at Manila's Market! Market!, a free showcase in which we shared three of our own ballets along with performances by Ramon Obusan and Ballet Philippines.