PAMANA takes flight to Europe and B.C.
Another chapter for PAMANA ng LuzViMinda is well underway as they prepare for their most important journey. Since PAMANA’s return from Christmas holiday, PAMANA has been working relentlessly for their first international participation in the 2010 CIOFF (Council of International Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art) in Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia from June 23 to July 15. PAMANA, probably one of the youngest, will share the stage with other invited dance groups from the four corners of the globe. For most of the performers, it will be the first time travelling to this part of the world and definitely not their last, and for some, a dream come true. PAMANA is sending 35 performers and chaperones to represent the City of Montreal, Province of Quebec and Canada and the multiculturalism that our country embodies by presenting and sharing the Philippine culture.
PAMANA will face many challenges in their preparations; everything from transportation of oversized props and adapting to various venue specs. But these challenges will only help PAMANA grow and mature in a foreign setting. The leaders and dancers will take back home with them what they’ve learned and apply it to the company’s development for all future performances in and outside of Montreal.
To help PAMANA train for Europe, a special guest from Culture Philippines of Ontario will be conducting a 3-day workshop in Montreal over the Easter weekend. Eleanor Mescallado-Kalash, Artistic Director and Choreographer of CPO, was the trainer and researcher for Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company and assistant to Dance Director Mrs. Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula, Philippine National Artist for Dance. Tita Eleanor will be coming to Montreal with her team of trainers and refine PAMANA’s techniques in both music and dance and give them tips on how to give a flawless performance.
And only two weeks after their arrival back from Europe, PAMANA will continue the training of their junior dancers as well as their newer members for seven days on the west coast of Canada. They will be participating in their third exchange with SEVEC to meet with PhilCAS of B.C. In mid-August, PhilCAS will travel to Montreal to perform at Fete des Enfants in Parc Jean Drapeau. It will be the second time PAMANA and PhilCAS come together to exchange dance workshops and most importantly, friendship.
With PAMANA’s intense practice and performance schedule leading up to their departure, the company still needs to find the time to fundraise. As part of their fundraising efforts, PAMANA will be celebrating their 4th anniversary on April 17 at the Hellenic Community Centre. Profits will go towards the group’s airfare to Europe. Tickets are on sale now. PAMANA needs your support to help continue the group’s mission to preserve and represent the diversity of the Philippine culture in the multicultural mosaic of Quebec and Canada.
