PASINAYA Molds the Youth

Phil High School for the Arts Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw nail facial expression along with choreography in Tinikling. Photo taken during PASINAYA festival in CCP. The 10th edition expanded to the National Museum and Metropolitan Museum and other establishments last March 16, 2014. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Seeing a kid buried in gadgets these days with hardly any idea of their Filipino heritage is quite common. Kids going to exclusive schools sometimes have difficulties speaking in Filipino. Whether rich or poor, they don’t get exposed to traditional Pinoy culture and art. And if they were not exposed how would you expect them to have a clear sense of their Filipino identity?

And then there are 9-year-old kids from the Phil. High School of the Arts dancing the tinikling, or pandanggo with perfection. Even their facial expressions are able to convey the mood and liveliness of the dance down to that trademark sweet smile that Filipinas are known for.

The Philippine High School for the Arts was among many schools that figured prominently at the recently concluded PASINAYA festival at the CCP, March 16, 2014. Now on its 10^th year, PASINAYA is a multi arts festival showcasing Filipino dance, music, visual arts, theater and even award winning short films like LUPA from Emmanuel Del Cruz. The Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw and their PHSA Music Graduating Students represented PHSA.

Barkadas pose in front of PASINAYA sign at CCP last March 16, 2014. Photo by Jude Bautista

PASINAYA is a very affordable, practical way of getting kids to see what Pinoy music, dance and the arts is all about. What has made PASINAYA immensely popular is the affordability of the tickets. The great crowds took advantage of a donation based ticketing price of P50 or less. A P300 fast pass allows you to skip lines and get the best seats to all the shows.

The pricing actually allows the mass market to watch a show by Ballet Phil, Ballet Manila, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan, PPO, which may total in the thousands of pesos if scheduled separately.

Phil High School for the Arts Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw’s graceful Pandanggo. Photo taken during PASINAYA festival in CCP. The 10th edition expanded to the National Museum and Metropolitan Museum and other establishments last March 16, 2014. Photo by Jude Bautista

There were many prestigious universities and schools who gave dance performances: UP Dance Company, Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company, Rizal Technological University Dance Troupe, Renee Grace Rose Villa School of Performing Arts, Diwayanis Dance Theater (Batangas State University), Sinig Kumintang ng Batangas Kidz, Lyceum Dance Company, CEU Dance Troupe, Iskolar Dance Company with the Iskolar Calbayog Rondalla, Bulacan State University Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe, Kahayag Dance Company, Kaloob Music and Dance Ministry, Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild and CCP Dance School BP Kids.

Ballet was also very well represented with Ballet Phil, Ballet Manila, Halili Cruz School of Ballet, Maqiling Ballet, and Claraval School of Ballet.

Internationally heralded dance troupes included Salinlahi Pangkat Mananayaw, Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe, Phil Barangay Folk Dance Troupe, Nicola Ayoub Dance Performance, Airdance, Batang Ramon Obusan, Sining Bulakeño, Seven Dance Company, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig.

If the gala was any indication, there is reason to hope in the Filipino youth. These are kids who loudly applauded Baao Children & Youth Choir who recently won the NAMCYA-National Music Competition for Young Artists. There was a rousing reception of the Ramon Obusan Flokloric Group performance of ‘Solotan’ a Maranao Suite.

Tanghalang Pilipino’s SANDOSENANG SAPATOS cast at PASINAYA festival in CCP. The 10th edition expanded to the National Museum and Metropolitan Museum and other establishments last March 16, 2014. Photo by Jude Bautista

Other CCP Resident Companies who performed and their pieces in parenthesis: UST Symphony Orchestra (Musical Thomasian), Philippine Ballet Theater (Serye at Sayaw), Tanghalang Pilipino (Sandosenang Sapatos), Ballet Philippines (Art of Dance), Philippine Madrigal Singers (Golden Voices), Bayanihan National Folkdance Company (Fiesta Folkloriada), Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (Sound Kaleidoscope). If we can get all of our youth to love performances and art forms like these, our country will have a brighter future.

CCP Artistic Dir Chris Millado addresses the crowd after long standing ovation at PASINAYA festival in CCP. The 10th edition expanded to the National Museum and Metropolitan Museum and other establishments last March 16, 2014. Photo by Jude Bautista

The educational role of the festival is not lost on CCP artistic director Chris Milllado who has expanded the activities with Metropolitan Museum of Manila, 1335 Mabini, Mabuhay Restop, Bahay Tsinoy, NCCA Gallery, Casa Manila, Museo Pambata, National Art Gallery, Museum of the Filipino People.

Museo Pambata is a popular interactive museum offering educational exhibitions. Various subjects are highlighted such as Philippine history, ecology and the environment, the universe, the human body and the community.

Jeepney Tours brought visitors to different sections of the extra mile. This refers to the culture mile between Intramuros and CCP and all the establishments in between. Specialized colorful jeepneys provided free transportation from the CCP to these different sections.

For further details check the CCP website: http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/