The following was the message circulated by  UNESCO on the occasion of the International Dance Day held April 29. The message was written by Gladys Faith AGULHAS, an internationally-acclaimed  dance specialist from South Africa.

The spirit of Dance has No color, No selected shape or size 
But Embraces the Power of Unity, Strength, 
And Beauty found within us.

Each Dancing Soul, Young, Old, person livng with a disABILITY 
Creates and transforms ideas into life changing moving Art. 
Dance is the mirror reflecting the impossible made possible. 
For all to touch, hear, feel and experience.

Sounds from our hearts and Soul is our rhythm, 
Our every move reveals the history of mankind. 
It is the element where the Human Spirit can embrace the ultimate Freedom.

Whenever our hands touch, something beautiful happens, 
What the Soul remembers, the body portrays through movement. 
Dance is therefore the healing force for all to access, 
You are my eyes and I am your feet.

Celebrate INTERNATIONAL DANCE Day, 
Use your Passion for Dance to heal each other, 
Unify your dance community, 
Most importantly be the Best that you can be in your Own Right, 
We are able to stand unified through the Power and Spirit of Dance.

The celebration in Negros Occidental was initiated by the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in partnership with Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod, the Provincial Government of  Negros Occidental, the City Government of  Bacolod and the Negros Island Tourism Incorporated.

Activities were held also as part of the Panaad Festival. The activities included the  National Dance Congress and Araw ng Sayaw: the Philippine Celebration of the International Dance Day with  “Festivals: A Celebration of the Filipino Bayanihan” and “A Discourse on the Visayan Festivals” as themes.

The congress was participated in by dance educators, choreographers of the local government units, tourism officers and festival organizers to help define the significance of festivals and street dancing in community development; identify g the contribution of street dance to the development of dance in the Philippines and . crafting guidelines to redirect festivals towards a culture based celebration.

The congress ended with the Araw ng Sayaw: Philippine Celebration of the International Dance Day, a showcase of Manila-based professional dance groups as well as local groups on April 29 at the Panaad Stadium.

International Dance Day was created by UNESCO’s International Theater Institute to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1801), the creator of modern ballet. 

Like a prelude to the dance congress, Bacolod dance artists had recently gained awards and recognition in various dance competitions in the Visayas region. Reyma Barrios and John Mark Panoncillo of NOHS were declared champions in the Region 6 Latin American Dancesports competition of the Department of Education held in San Jose, Antique on March 15.  The Rugbys of West Negros University won the championship in the Sun Dance Pop Showdown held on Cebu City also on March 15.

 The WNU group bested groups from Iloilo (West Visayas College of Science & Technology and University of Iloilo), Cebu (South Western University, University of Cebu, Cebu Institute of Technology, University of San Carlos, Maritime Education and Training Center – UC and College of Technological Sciences) and the USLS Campus Jammers.  The group members are John Mark Alpay, Alberto Roy David, Jezreel Villanueva, Divine Sanchez, Maricel Nedamo, Vercel Buenaflor, Ronamer Fuentes, Christine Gonzaga and Ridez Demetrial.  Choreographers are Verjel Catalan and Ricardo Denisa Jr. 

Aside from these events, summer dance workshops abound in Bacolod. MMB Dance Centre, which recently staged the three -act ballet “Thumbelina” at the USLS Coliseum, will offer Classical Ballet, Modern Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Dance Aero and Taekwondo for its April 7 – May 17 workshop to be held at the MMB Dance Centre, 16th Lacson Street.  On the other hand, the Lydia Gaston School of Dance, which mounted the full-length ballet version of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the USLS Coliseum recently, is holding   its Classical Ballet classes for girls and boys, 4 years old and above, Mayen Lizares and Irene Caram are also hold their flamenco, yoga and belly dance at the school.  It is located at the third floor of Boston Building at 6th Street.

Meanwhile, the Dance Pull School of Performing Arts, owned and managed by former Ballet Philippines dancer Dwight Rodrigazo, is holding its second summer workshop until  May 17 at its studio second floor of Carmen Building at Lizares Avenue.  Classes offered are Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Street Grooves (Hip Hop) Breakdance and Choreographers’ Workshop. The mother-and daughter- team Janette, Gianne and Georgette of the Garcia-Sanchez Dance School is offeringazz, Classical and Modern Ballet until May 17 at its school  located at 17th Street

May Castillo’s Pink and Blue Gymnastics at the third floor of Cineplex Bldg. in Araneta St. started its Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics on April 7 and will culminate on May 31 with a showcase.  Enrollment is still going on.  Inquires can be coursed through telephone number 709-4813.

Ching’s Dance Fitness Studio at the second floor of Centrum Appliances Bldg., corner Rizal-Lacson Streets has an ongoing dance classes on aerodance, ballroom, hip hop, jJazz and ballet.  The studio is owned and managed by Ching Temporosa-Alcala.

Prospective dance scholars may inquire about the summer dance workshops of CSA-B Kagayon Dance Troupe, WNU Kaanyag Pilipinas Dance Company and Rondalla, VMA Posiedon Dance Theater, LCC Dance Troupe and UNO-R Kasadyahan Dance Company.  Inquiries may be coursed through the schools dance directors: Marivic Fontanilla, Gerlie Belzunce, Danny Vale, Rene Hofileña and Ruel Calansingin, respectively.