Kabankalan’s Udyakan Festival gets workshop to polish Udyakan moves.
July 15, 2008
Negros Occidental (14 July) — Choreographers and selected students all over Kabankalan city underwent a week-end workshop conducted by Ismael “Maeng” Java, artistic director and choreographer of Kalingaw: Ang Teatro Hiligaynon, of West Negros University.
The workshops held for two consecutive weekends are in preparation for the Udyakan Festival, a highlight of the 11th Charter Day celebration of Kabankalan City, set on July 28 to Aug. 2. The participants are both from the public and private schools in the city.
Java, who started this workshop last year, said he was polishing the distinct steps and movements for the dancers that will truly and eventually reflect the true culture of Kabankalanons without the influence of any other festivals in some parts of the country. Java also said that a music designed for Udyakan has already been created whose basic tunes were composed by a Kabankalanon.
From his experience, Java said, that it will take a few years before the festival can establish its own identity and that is what he is doing now with the Udyakan.
The Udyakan street dancing is set on Aug. 2 and under the auspices of the Kabankalan City Cultural and Tourism Foundation, Inc. chaired by Dr. Enigardo Legislador. (Kabankalan City/PIA/EAD)
