Leyte Dance Theater group wows Fil-Am audience in Charlotte

 


By Susan Palmes-Dennis


ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—The sounds of dancing feet and appreciative voices of the crowd filled the Matthews Playhouse where the 20 members of the Leyte Dance Theater group performed last Saturday, May 27.


Not even the inclement weather that day dampened the spirits of those watching the 6 pm show as they showed up either soaked in their jackets or carrying umbrellas. 


The Charlotte, North Carolina performance was part of the Leyte Dance Theater group’s ‘Padayon Pagsayaw the USA Tour.’ 


The 12 pm and 6 pm shows both started with an invocation by Beth Kremer (1st VP of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas or FACC) followed by the singing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ anthem by FACC area representative Marissa Olarte whose rendition set the mood for the performance.


In both shows FACC president Dr. Edward Tautjo gave the welcome address and thanked the community for their continued support. 


The 12 pm show was hosted by FACC auditor Dr. Stella Reyes while the 6 pm show was hosted by Christelle Corpin and Stella Lawsin.


The performance was divided into five segments: ‘Dawn of the Highland’, ‘Mardi Gras De Principalia’, ‘Unchartered Sarimanok’, ‘Life at the Rurals’ and the finale ‘Bayan Ko.’  


In between the performances are stellar intermission numbers consisting of Filipino tunes by lawyer Leia Castaneda Anastacio with guitar accompaniment by Ed Tautjo. 


Also performing were Marissa Olarte accompanied by Erce Cobile on guitar and Stella Lawsin with Tautjo on guitar. 


Photo grab by Lota Mascarenas
The audience chanted and some even joined the ‘kuracha’ number on stage like Malette Oliveros, Tonette Asay, Leizel Perez Bell and Joe Supil. 


During the 12 pm show,  Lowe Tana awarded a plaque of appreciation to the FACC board of directors. 


Among those in the audience were Jesette Kelly of Charlotte, who watched the Leyte Dance Theater group for the first time and described their performance as ‘world class.’  Marilou Haynes of Rockingham said she didn’t mind driving through the rain to watch the group perform live on stage.


Maria Benrokiya, who recently directed the Kultura Filipino Dance group that won third prize at the Asian Festival, said the show was excellent.


The Leyte Dance Theater group performed in the Middle East, Asia and the US. They were sent by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as ‘ambassadors of culture’ to various countries in Europe where their performances received standing ovations. 


It was founded by the late Maestro Jess De Paz and is registered at the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by now manager and President Lowe Tana.  From The Queen City of Charlotte, the Leyte Dance Theater group will head to Tallahase, Florida. 


Watch for more stories on their performance as rated by the audience sometime soon.




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