The Leyte Dance Theater(LDT) dazzled the crowd at the Eventforum in Berne during their thanksgiving performance on 17 June 2016. The eventwas attended by more than 300 guests including members of the Diplomatic Corps, Swiss officials, and members of the Swiss and Filipino communities. The LDT showcased the diverse expressions of Filipino culture and identity through their dynamic infusion of western techniques on indigenous movements.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Joselito A. Jimeno said, “Three years ago, in 2013, the Philippines was hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in history – super typhoon Haiyan. The typhoon affected the lives of more than 16mn people across the Philippines. Leyte, one of the worst-hit provinces, is home to this dance group.”
“Three years on, they are back, stronger than before. Their thanksgiving performance tonight can be aptly summed in the saying that ‘Words can be beautiful, so can dreams, so can hopes’, as it finds reality in their experience three years ago,” added Ambassador Jimeno.
Amb. Joselito A. Jimeno welcomes guests to the Leyte Dance Theatre Concert
The group’s richly visual and emotionally stirring repertoire included dances from the different regions of the Philippines as well as an animated and heart-rending interpretation of traditional dances.
The Leyte Dance Theatre during their performances
The dance troupe was given a standing ovation after their emotionally-charged finale, “Lupang Hinirang”, an interpretative number depicting the Filipinos’ struggle for freedom and independence.
The Leyte Dance Theatre given a standing ovation
The Leyte Dance Theater, is one of the top dance companies in the Philippines. It is headed by its founder and artistic director Mr. Jess de Paz, World-renowned choreographer who studied at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. The group has performed in countries around the world, including the US and Asia.
Their performance in Berne, which is part of their European tour that includes Prague, Warsaw, Vienna, and Geneva, is part of a series of celebratory activities organized by the Philippine Embassy in Berne, in celebration of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. END
