MSU-IIT Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe to perform in Mahinog today

Mahinog, Camiguin (13 Feb) – In celebration of the National Arts Month in February 2010, the renowned Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) will perform its "Silip Sayaw sa Mindanao," a pre-valentine's show, in Mahinog Gym today.

The performance is being sponsored by the Municipal Government of Mahinog. Show will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to the public for free.

Silip Sayaw sa Mindanao is a series of dance performances showcasing indigenous cultures of Mindanao particularly of the tribal groups of Bukidnons, T'bolis, Maranaos, Maguindanaons, and the Tausogs in areas which these dance traditions are less popular as in Northern Mindanao.

The said presentation under the travel grant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) aims to heighten awareness and grasp on the rich Filipino heritage particularly the bounty of Mindanao music, arts, dances, costumes and other forms of ethnicity.

MSU-IIT Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe was the 2006 ALIW Awardee of the Philippines as Best Dance Company. The troupe was the recipient of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Tour Grants in 2008, 2007, and 2003 for its performances in Northern, Northwestern Mindanao, and CARAGA Region.

Kalimulan was also the resident cultural dance troupe for three consecutive years from 2003 to 2005 of Region X, Northern Mindanao at WOW Philippines in Intramuros, Manila. Also, the Philippines’ official representative to the Asia Pacific Traditional Arts Festival in Yilan, Taiwan, Republic of China, October 2004, and 2006’s official representative to Austronesian Cultural Festival in Taitung, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Inspired by the thrusts and objectives of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Prof. Christian T.N. Aguado, a cultural anthropologist headed as founder and organizer of the MSU-IIT Kalimulan Cultural Dance Troupe. As resident cultural dance troupe of the Institute, it was formally launched by a group of young talented college students and faculty members from the College of Arts and Social Sciences on June 13, 1988. (Homer R. Jajalla, Mahinog IO)