Gleaming feats of the the Kawilihan-USA Dance Troupe
The Kawilihan Dance Troupe is one among the four core bearers of artistic prestige in the University of San Agustin’s Performing Arts. Together with the USA Band, Choir, Little Theater, and the world renowned singing sensations, The USA Troubadors, it has imminently pursued recognition nationwide and looking forward to break through the limelight around the world.
Established in 1960 as the official dance group of the University, the Kawilihan is presently shining enormously in creative dancing in various repertoires and ingenious incorporations of classical and neo-classical ballet, modern dance including folk dances, contemporary and street jazz. Aspiring to become the best dance group, it has gradually worked its way up with hard work, determination, and persistent desire for perfection, under its choreographer and artistic director, Annie Divinagracia Sartorio. 
She took over in 1993 and radically changed and re-organized the dance troupe and began to introduce ballet into Philippine folk dances, as inspired by the artistic director of Ballet Philippines Agnes Locsin, that made the routines more exciting and skillful. The overhauling included each member to attend formal classes in classical ballet, modern dance, and street jazz at the Annie Sartorio School of Performing Arts. It was a requirement to further hone the skills of the members to increase their agility, versatility, form and stamina commonly required in rigorous performances.
With her sufficient background, training and recognition in ballet under prominent mentors here and in Manila which includes, Agnes Locsin, Denisa Reyes, Nonoy Froilan, Cecile Sigangco, and Noordin Jumalon, she has led Kawilihan into achieving numerous recognitions and awards in various competitions.
In July 17, 2005, Kawilihan-USA won first runner up in the Penshoppe Dance Slam Inter-School Competition. On the same year, they joined the Iloilo PRISAA, won gold medal and represented Iloilo in the Western Visayas PRISAA in Bacolod and also took first runner up honor.
In July 17, 2006, they were chosen as one of the finalists and only one of two representatives in the Visayas to participate in the 5th Mindanao Modern Dance Competition in Koronadal City and once again proved its dancing prowess by taking home the first runner-up award and was honored as "2006 Most Outstanding Young Contemporary Dance Group of the Philippines." Their winning piece was about the illustrious portrayal of the lives of construction workers who are determined to provide for their respective families. They were awarded with a trophy, plaque, and a cash prize of 50,000 pesos from South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes. 
Among those who participated in the competition were Kathara Dance Theater Collectives of Davao City, Danz Zone Lipa, Bag-ong Surigaonon Modern Company, Mindanao Dance Artist Academy of Garden City of Samal, Cyber Crew of South Cotabato, U.P. Dance Company of Quezon City, Neo-Nescas Dance Company of Manila, Diwanag Dance Theater and Cultural Troupe of Tagbilaran, and Teatro Ambahanon Contemporaryo Dance Company of General Santos. It was a feat successfully choreographed by Annie Divinagracia Sartorio in cooperation with the Kawilihan members -- Ruthlyn Lazaro, Allarie Grace Janolino, Lucky Jan Vicentino, Crimson Guirjem, Joe Art Buison, May Jan Hurtada, Eliseo Mendiola Jr., and Bryan Yap.
The dance troupe also actively pursues outreach programs. It has performed in Colegio de San Agustin Makati, San Agustin Seminary in Quezon City and in Colegio de San Agustin in Los Baños last March 5 to 8. It will soon hold a back-to-back performance with the Neo-Nescas Dance Company, composed of former members of St. Benilde La Salle, sponsored by the United Nations in October. Kawilihan is looking forward to perform for the Augustinian Community in Bohol and in New Jersey U.S.A. as a response to the invitation of the Filipino community based there.