| The Filipiniana Dance Company of Montreal's first participation in an International Festival was the 1981 Edition of the Quebec City Summer Festival. The Canadian Folk Arts Council chose Filipiniana after a successful performance in the 1981 Montreal Flower Show (Floralies '81) at the Olympic Velodrome. The company travelled to the province's capital with the visiting National Folk Ballet of Mexico. In 1984, sixteen years ago, Filipiniana danced its first international steps at the 8th International Folklore Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The first Filipino-Canadian dance company to participate in this festival. This initial adventure marked the beginning of an international history for the group that has spanned three continents, and reaped critical acclaim everywhere. That same year, Filipiniana was a guest-performing group at the Journée Multiculturelle in Trois, Rivières, Quebec for its 350th anniversary. In 1985, Filipiniana represented the Philippines in the 2nd International Ethnic Dance Festival in Cornwall, Ontario. That same year, Filipiniana was also invited to perform in the Foire Brayonne Festival - Journée International de la Danse in Edmundston, New Brunswick. The company's performance created such a great impact that many of the spectators lined-up after the show for the dancers' autographs. There were also performances at the Festival de la Jeunesse in Beauport and Ste-Marie de Beauce, Quebec in 1985, which carried what began in Cornwall, Ontario. On June 22, 1986, four members of Filipiniana were selected to represent the province of Quebec in the Canadian Heritage Festival at the 1986 World Exposition (Expo '86) in Vancouver, B.C. The group was selected after competing against fifteen other folkloric groups in the province of Quebec in an audition conducted by Jacques Lemay and Jannis Dunning, the producers/directors of the festival. That same year in August, Filipiniana traveled to the United States for the first time to participate as Canada and the Philippines' representative in the Ist International Folklore Festival (Interfolk '86) in Burlington, Vermont, U.S.A. Through an invitation of the Vermont Performing Arts League, the producer of Interfolk '86, the company also performed in the city of Stowe, Vergennes and Montpelier. But the turning point of Filipiniana's international history was in 1987. That was the year that Filipiniana was given a unique opportunity to travel as a Filipino-Canadian company in Europe. They represented Canada in the 29th World Folklore Festival in Schoten, Belgium, the 4th World Folklore Festival in Mersch, Luxembourg, highlighted by a command performance for the Prince and Princess of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the 6th Meeting of European Youth in Laggenbeck, West Germany and a tour of Paris, France. In Belgium, they created such a tremendous impact that they became the sensation of the festival. Even before the company returned to Montreal, it was invited to participate in the various international festivals in Europe the following year. In July of 1988, Filipiniana drew crowds of up to 6,000 spectators for a single performance when it was featured at the Semaine International at Place d'Youville in Quebec City. A week after, the company was invited as a guest performer at the 1988 Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario. That same year, Filipiniana returned to Europe for its second tour. The second European tour started in Portugal where it had a two-week engagement. The company performed and participated in the various international festivals as Quebec, Canada and the Philippines' official representative, organized by the president of the 2nd World Folklore Festival in Vila de Arcozelo, and toured in different towns and cities such as; Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Sto. Tirso, Esmoriz, Ponte de Barca, Arcos de Valdevez, Braga, Espinho, Viseau, Esposende, Fafe, Valadarez, Fatima and Lisbon. In every city, rave reviews were garnered. Then followed by a five-day tour of Madrid, Spain and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In 1989, Filipiniana represented the province of Quebec in the 8th World Folklore Festival in Drummondville, Quebec. Through an invitation of Folklore Canada International, the company charmed a jaded audience that was used to seeing the best that this second largest festival in the world could offer. In 1990, Filipiniana was back for the second time in Drummondville for the 9th edition of its World Folklore Festival, this time, as Quebec and Canada's official representative. The company was the first folklore group that was invited two years in a row in this prestigious festival due to its impressive performance the year before. In July and August of that same year, Filipiniana returned to the United States to represent Canada and the Philippines in the 1990 North Carolina International Folk Festival (Folkmoot U.S.A.) in Waynesville, the largest festival of its kind in the entire United States with over 300 dancers and musicians from across the globe. The company became a favorite with their rendition of the ever popular Tinikling. As part of its two-week stint in North Carolina, Filipiniana also presented Philippine folk dances to audiences in Maggie Valley, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Asheville, Franklin, Cullowhee and Bryson City. One of the most popular places on earth was the next destination for Filipiniana. The Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The International Festival Program of this world-renowned theme park booked the dance company for a five-day (from December 31, 1990 to January 4, 1991 ) engagement at the America Garden's Theater at Epcot Center. Filipiniana became the first Filipino-Canadian Dance Company ever to perform at Walt Disney World adding more laurels to its achievements. En route home in 1991, they participated in the 15th International Folklore Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the official representative of the Philippines. It was the second participation of the company in the said festival. Its opening night performance of Singkil drew rave reviews that they were requested to appear on television more times than any of the other participating international groups. The company was back for its 3rd European tour in June-July, 1991. More than twenty cities were covered in the course of a five-week tour. The 3rd European tour started in Vienna, Austria for a two-day visit of this historical city. Then off to Maribor, Slovenia (Yugoslavia) for a week engagement as the Philippines' representative in the 3rd Intemational Folklore Festival (Folkart Maribor) which was cut short due to a civil strife in Slovenia. The company also had a chance to visit the city of Belgrade, Yugoslavia for a day while waiting for the next train to Greece, its next destination. It was Greece in depth for that year. Under the auspices of Mr. Valsamidis, ClOFF representative in Greece, Filipiniana toured over twelve cities in Greece. The company represented Canada and the Philippines in the 3rd International Folklore Festival in Naoussa, the 1991 edition of the International Folklore Festival of Nea Karvali and the 5th International Folklore Festival of Traditional Dances in Ioannina. Filipiniana also toured and performed in other ancient cities in Greece such as: Idomeni, Pella, Kavala, Tempe, Metsovon, Igoumenitsa, Dodone, Rio, Patras, Corinth and Athens. After a successful but arduous tour of Greece, the company, on board the Anek Cruise Lines crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Igoumenitsa, Greece to its next destination, Ancona, Italy. In Italy, Filipiniana participated in the 9th Festival Del Sud Pontino in Minturno and the 1st International Folklore Festival in Ausonia, as a guest-performing group. Its one-week engagement in Italy brought them to such ancient cities like Scauri, Itri, Terracina, Pompei, Rome and the world famous Vatican City. The laudatory of reviews were unanimous in saying that Filipiniana was among the best of the participating groups in the said festivals. After another grueling tour of Europe, Filipiniana was invited to present an hour of Philippine music, songs and dances at the Musée Canadien des Civilisations in Hull, Quebec as part of its Cultures Canada '91, a summer-long festival of the performing arts. The following year, 1992, Filipiniana was invited to participate as the representative of the Philippines in the 2nd International Folklore Festival of Lachine, Quebec. In 1993, through an invitation from the Filipino-Canadian community of P.E.I., Filipiniana presented a two-hour dance drama at Le Carrefour de I'Île St-Jean in Charlottetown, P.E.I. as a fund-raising project for Alzheimer P.E.I. It was the Festival Folklorique International de Brossard, Quebec in 1994 followed by the 2nd International Folklore Festival (Folko-Fête '95) in Chicoutimi, Quebec in 1995. Audiences of Folko-Fête '95 gave Filipiniana a warm applause for their exotic and colorful dances and was featured several times in their local newspaper. Filipiniana staged another fund-raising show in 1996 for the charitable projects of the Sisters of Les Dominicaines in Sillery, Quebec as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. The dancers and musicians were given a standing ovation for their unprecedented performance. 1997 was highlighted by a command performance for the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency, Fidel V. Ramos and his First Lady, Mrs. Amelita Ramos, during his State visit in Canada at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in 1998, Filipiniana, through an invitation from The Filipino-Canadian community of Kingston, Ontario, performed in the community's Centennial Celebration. That same year, Filipiniana embarked on yet another European tour, its fourth since its inception. The company was invited to participate as Canada and the Philippines' official representative in the 40th World Folklore Festival in Schoten, Belgium highlighted by a command performance for the Prince of Belgium. It was its second time to participate in this renowned international festival. A museum was inaugurated for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the festival that displays some of the most memorable photos of Filipiniana during its participation in 1987. While in Belgium, Filipiniana also had the opportunity to tour other ancient cities such as: Brugges, Antwerp and Gent. Their impressive performances in the festival earned them an invitation to participate in the 1998 International Festival of Folklore in The Netherlands. 1999 brought Filipiniana to various cities in Quebec and Ontario. Performing in different engagements such as the World Showcase at Craig Quay in Bainsville, Ontario, the "Santacruzan" of the Filipino-Canadian Association of the Ottawa Valley in Ottawa, Ontario, Beach & Tennis Club Resort in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Hôtel I'Esterel in Esterel, Quebec, and the May Robinson Recreation Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Filipiniana was also invited to perform in two of the biggest Asian events in Montreal. The 1999 Edition of the Asian Heritage Festival at the Botanical Garden and the Dragon Boat Festival at île Nôtre-Dame. The year 2000 marks the 20th anniversary of Filipiniana's existence. As part of its celebration, the company hosted a night of culture for Filipinos and Canadians featuring an hour of Philippine folk music, songs and dances. Keeping in mind its theme, "A Celebration - 20th Anniversary", Filipiniana presented a repertoire of dances from the Tribal, Muslim, Spanish and Rural culture of the Philippines plus some of the most exotic dances of Polynesia. In August 2000, Filipiniana was a guest perfomer at the 16th annual Miss Philippines-America Pageant at the newly opened Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia in Virginia Beach, U.S.A. In September-October 2000, Filipiniana was featured in a French Musical-Comedy Operetta entitled "Amour a Tahiti" produced by Academie de l'Operette de Drummondville. This musical production is also slated for an engagement on board the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska Cruise Lines. 2001-2002 once again brought Filipiniana to various cities in Quebec and Ontario highlighted by a command performance for Her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Republic of The Philippines, during her state visit in Canada. A plan to visit the Philippines to attend workshops with some of the most renowned choreographers of Philippine folk dances and to witness first hand the customs and traditions of the Filipino people is also underway. Filipiniana believes that to grasp the core of the Filipino heritage is to know the essence not only of Philippine dance but the essence of all things Filipino. Today, thus has Filipiniana kept faith with its commitment of promoting international goodwill and understanding through its performances here and abroad. Millions have glimpsed the Filipino soul in the artistry of its dances and the charm of its dancers. And hearts and minds have been captured all over. In a world that is torn by conflicts that pit man against man, the Filipiniana spirit has made happiness, love and brotherhood --- no matter how briefly --- prevail. |
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