Biography All Music Guide
All Music Guide:
The traditional folk music, dance and costumes of the Phillipines are preserved by the Bayanihan Dance Troupe. Over the past four decades, the company have served as cultural ambassadors, bringing their presentation of the culture of Phillipine to stages throughout the world.
The Bayanihan Dance Troupe first attracted international attention, on May 27, 1958, when they performed at the Universal Exposition in Brussels. Although they had been together for less than a year, their enthusiastic performance was the highpoint of the festival. The following year, they performed on Broadway for three weeks and toured eight major U.S. cities. Originating at the Phillipine's Women's University, the Bayanihan Dance Troupe has remained committed to preserving the cultural heritage of their homeland. The company initially participated in programs at the university, developing their repertoire from the studies of Phillipine folk dancing by Francisca Reyes Aquino at the University of the Phillipines. In 1957, the university organized the Filipiana Folk Music and Dance Committee, which later evolved into the Bayanihan Folk Art Association. The Bayanihan Dance Troupe developed as an outgrowth of this organization.