FILIPINA DANCER PERFORMS IN BERN DANCE FESTIVAL

Filipina contemporary dancer and choreographer Eisa Jocson performed during the “Tanz in Bern” festival on 23-24 October 2014 at the Dampfzentrale in Berne.  A Philippine Embassy representative was present during Ms. Jocson’s first night performance.

Together with Singaporean dance partner Daniel Kok, Ms. Jocson’s performance of the choreography “Alpha” (by Arco Renz) focused on the verticality and circularity in pole dancing aimed at engaging the audience in raising questions on issues of gender equality by breaking stereotypical notions on desire and seduction. 

The dance choreography, based on a social commentary on movements usually found in night clubs, was staged with a lighting concept by Japanese Takayuki Fujimoto and accompanied by the electronic soundscape by Belgian Marc Apaprt.

Ms. Jocson, winner of last year’s Kantonalbank Zürich acknowledgment prize, is well received in the European contemporary dance scene. With a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines and a background in classical ballet, she studied the dance styles of Manila’s nightlife to create original modern pieces for the European audience.

Ms. Jocson believes that there is a great potential for artistic contemporary dance in the Philippines.  She aspires to demonstrate her talent to more Filipinos, either in Europe or in the Philippines, and hopes to make her work on contemporary dance more known in the Philippines.