Last month was the National Arts Month. Aside from celebrating it by our well-rated concert for a cause, we were also invited by the Cultural Center of the Philippines to take part on their open house festival called “Pasinaya”. Last 2010, we were also asked to celebrate with other dance companies all around the country through dancing Tinikling altogether. But this year, I guess, was more unforgettable; Dinagyang Festival visited the Metro to celebrate. We had a blast watching various performers all day around CCP for free after dancing our winning Kalinga piece of the PHILTOA Competition. Though our soles were grilled by the sizzling heat of the platform, we carried on. (NOTE: it was not also our first time to experience burns during the festival; last Pasinaya invitation also did that to us, with bleeding toes, as we danced Tinikling like non-stop under the naked sun! Hence, “PASO-naya”.)

I felt a guilty feeling of pride to be a folk dancer as we made our part at the festival. And I also felt the same as we roamed around the prestigious CCP, watching everyone doing what we also do―ART. Folk dance, ballet, drama, music, painting, sculpture―everything artistic surrounded us! And the most hair-raising part in there was its final show at the Main Theater called People’s Gala, starring everyone Ilongo. After showcasing every kind of art expression and pulling our legs with the comic drama in between, real Dinagyang dancers suddenly peeked out from the curtains! They invaded the stage with wholesome cheerfulness and colors! I personally felt like watching it from Iloilo. They really brought the spirit to Manila.

For now, what I am thinking is I won’t miss next year’s Pasinaya whether be invited over again or not. The entrance is affordable, anyway! Let us all celebrate our beautifully rich culture even for once a month. Good thing, CCP holds such events.