TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Us
PAMANA ng LuzViMinda Philippine Folkloric Dance Company was founded in 2005 in order to represent and preserve Philippine intangible cultural heritage. Based in the multicultural metropolis of Montreal in Quebec, Canada, PAMANA has become a viable ambassador in Philippine cultural folk dance with its well-trained performers, authentic costuming, and live music groups.
Despite its young age, PAMANA has already achieved a considerable amount of success, garnering a reputation of high quality performances and well-disciplined performers. Within ten years, the group has presented five stage productions, travelled internationally three times, and travelled within Canada numerous times. At each of these milestones, the reviews of PAMANA’s performance and off-stage discipline have been widely commended.
Most importantly, throughout the years PAMANA has distinguished itself by staunchly investing in youth mentorship and leadership training. Comprised mostly of Canadian-born Filipino youth, PAMANA is fundamentally a youth-led organization: the President, Artistic Director, and five of the eight Executive Board members are all under the age of thirty. The youth of the company are encouraged to become involved in different aspects of the company and to take on leadership roles.
Members therefore not only develop the confidence to perform onstage, but they also acquire the skills and character necessary to lead others. In this way PAMANA has become much more than a simple folkloric dance company. PAMANA provides its members a safe context in which they can explore their cultural identities and develop their leadership skills.
As part of its effort to blend authenticity and theatrical innovation with its standard of excellence, members of PAMANA have participated in workshops with several teachers from different dance groups. PAMANA had the honor of receiving formal training workshops with:
- Edwin C. Duero, Founder of ECD dance company of the Philippines;
- Cecille Hernandez, Folklorico Filipino Canada based in Toronto, Ontario;
- Maria Donna Cosejo, Ramon Obu-san Dance Company based in the Philippines;
- Victor Nombrado, Artistic Director of Kayumanggi Performing Arts Organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba;
- Tonette Gatus, former dancer, Researcher & Assistant Dance Director of the world renowned Bayanihan Dance Company of the Philippines and is now Artistic Director of the Philippine Cultural Arts Society of Richmond, British Columbia.
PAMANA has therefore forged links with other Filipino groups around Canada and the world.
Despite its young age, PAMANA has already achieved a considerable amount of success, garnering a reputation of high quality performances and well-disciplined performers. Within ten years, the group has presented five stage productions, travelled internationally three times, and travelled within Canada numerous times. At each of these milestones, the reviews of PAMANA’s performance and off-stage discipline have been widely commended.
Most importantly, throughout the years PAMANA has distinguished itself by staunchly investing in youth mentorship and leadership training. Comprised mostly of Canadian-born Filipino youth, PAMANA is fundamentally a youth-led organization: the President, Artistic Director, and five of the eight Executive Board members are all under the age of thirty. The youth of the company are encouraged to become involved in different aspects of the company and to take on leadership roles.
Members therefore not only develop the confidence to perform onstage, but they also acquire the skills and character necessary to lead others. In this way PAMANA has become much more than a simple folkloric dance company. PAMANA provides its members a safe context in which they can explore their cultural identities and develop their leadership skills.
As part of its effort to blend authenticity and theatrical innovation with its standard of excellence, members of PAMANA have participated in workshops with several teachers from different dance groups. PAMANA had the honor of receiving formal training workshops with:
- Edwin C. Duero, Founder of ECD dance company of the Philippines;
- Cecille Hernandez, Folklorico Filipino Canada based in Toronto, Ontario;
- Maria Donna Cosejo, Ramon Obu-san Dance Company based in the Philippines;
- Victor Nombrado, Artistic Director of Kayumanggi Performing Arts Organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba;
- Tonette Gatus, former dancer, Researcher & Assistant Dance Director of the world renowned Bayanihan Dance Company of the Philippines and is now Artistic Director of the Philippine Cultural Arts Society of Richmond, British Columbia.
PAMANA has therefore forged links with other Filipino groups around Canada and the world.
