January 03, 2005

As an opening for its 2005 concert season, Concert at the Park presents the Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company from California, USA, under the artistic direction of Mrs. Helen Pastor Moreno. Hosting this Sunday program which is brought to the public for free by the National Parks Development Committee, under Executive Director Carlito A. Fajardo, and the National Broadcasting Network, is Ms. Minette Padilla.

Concert at the Park is shown on NBN-4 every Sunday at 6pm Morris M. Paredes directs for television from a script by V.V. Arnold. Me. Freddie A. Edos is the Executive in Charge of the Concert Project.

Enjoying the support of the Filipino community of San Jose and the South Bay in California for more than 20 years now, the Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Helen Pastor Moreno, brings to Concert at the Park, a kaleidoscope of the history and evolution of the Filipino. Kaisahan is the only Filipino arts group in San Jose, California to receive funding twice (in 2001 and 2004) from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). NEA is an investment in America’s living cultural heritage which serves the public good by nurturing the expression of human creativity, supporting the cultivation of community spirit and fostering the recognition and appreciation of the excellence and diversity of America’s artistic accomplishments.

Kaisahan’s Goodwill Tour to Manila is made possible by the support of the Department of Tourism, San Francisco Office, Travelfast International and Shangri-La Makati. Aside from the group’s performance in Concert at the Park, the Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company is also slated to perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Shangri-La Makati, in Zambales and Nueva Ecija. Considered an important highlight of their trip is a workshop with noted ethnic researcher and artistic director Ramon Obusan and Franco Vela of the Philippine Dance Society.

For their concert this Sunday (January 2),  Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company has prepared a repertoire which is a vibrant mix of artistic choreography symbolizing the dreams and aspirations, the rites, struggles and victories of the Filipino nation. It is classified into the following suites — Negrito or Ibeleng Suite (depicts life among the Negritos or Ibeleng tribe of Manguisguis, Botolan in Zambales); Maria Clara Suite (Dances influenced by the Spaniards); Ifugao or Igorot SUite (captures life among the Ifugao); Muslim Suite (portrays the Muslim way of life); and Barrio Fiesta Suite (depicts life in a barrio).

Admission at Concert at the Park is free. The public is cordially invited. For inquiries, call tel. no. 526-8163.