ILOILO CITY — Carrying the pride of Bulacan, delegates from the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) Liping Tagalog Folkloric Group (LTFG) successfully participated in the 44th National Folk Dance Workshop (NFDW) and PANUHID 2026: The National Dance Research Forum, held from May 17 to 23, 2026, in Iloilo City.

Representing BASC were student-dancers Roy DC. Sumaway, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) student, and Pauleen Jade Escalante, a Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BSDevCom) student, accompanied by Dr. Regulus A. Caibigan, adviser of the BASC LTFG. The week-long national gathering brought together folk dance practitioners, educators, researchers, and cultural advocates from across the country to enhance their technical skills, deepen their cultural knowledge, and strengthen their appreciation of Philippine folk traditions.

One of the highlights of the event was PANUHID 2026: The National Dance Research Forum, held at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center. The forum explored the role of folk dance in preserving Filipino identity and collective memory. Renowned speakers, including Dr. Anthony M. Juan Jr., an internationally recognized theater and film director, playwright, and academic, and Dr. Ma. Blancaflor Jimeno, an educator, dance researcher, and sports science expert, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the authenticity and cultural integrity of indigenous traditions when adapting them for contemporary performance.

The technical workshops, conducted at the Iloilo Sports Complex and Ateneo de Iloilo Gymnasium, provided participants with intensive training in various traditional dances from different regions of the Philippines. Among the dances learned were Felices Momentos of Quezon, Jeris of Iloilo, Subli Talumpok, Valse de Sariaya, La Paloma, Pastores Talisay of Camarines Norte, and Sayaw ng Pagbati of Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Participants also studied Madal Siwol, a traditional T’boli dance taught by a native cultural bearer from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, as well as Binanog and Pahaboe it Piña, culturally significant dances from Panay Bukidnon and Aklan.

The workshop concluded with a grand showcase where participants performed the dances they had mastered throughout the week. The BASC delegates actively took part in both stage presentations and street dance exhibitions, demonstrating the knowledge and skills they acquired during the training.

The event also provided participants with certificates of completion and research materials on Philippine folk dance, further enriching the resources of the BASC Liping Tagalog Folkloric Group. Their participation reflects the college’s continuing commitment to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Filipino people through the performing arts.

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Photo credits: Dr. Regulus A. Caibigan & Philippine Folk Dance Society