Dance group from ‘Haiyan’ struck Leyte surprises consulate clients

By: 11 years ago

Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon (2nd from left) with Filipino Community partners in the Bay Area and the Leyte Dance Theater. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The Leyte Dance Theater gave a surprise performance at the Consular Area of the Philippine Consulate General. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

SAN FRANCISCO, California — Performers of the Leyte Dance Theater surprised clients of the Philippine Consulate General with a performance of folk songs and dances, much to the delight of the transacting public Thurs., April 10.

The Leyte Dance Theater, one of the premier dance companies in the Philippines, and based in Tacloban City, Leyte, is holding a series of performances of “Bayan Ko” (My Native Land) across the United States.

Members of the dance company, including the staff and crew, all hail from Leyte province and were victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. A portion of the proceeds from the performances will go to Haiyan relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Under the tutelage of Artistic Director Jess De Paz, the company has gained international recognition having won the Grand Championship Award in the International Folklore Festival Competition in Malaysia in 2009. It has also won other awards such as Best Choreography and Best Male Dancer.

The dance company’s first performance in the US for 2014 will be at the San Francisco Scottish Rite Masonic Center on 11 April 2014. Performances are also scheduled in San Jose, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York, Washington D.C. and Texas. More information on the Leyte Dance Theater may be found on their facebook page.