Dinagyang captivates Minnesota
With blistered feet, dancers of the ECD Dance Company continue to delight audiences in several performances in Minnesota, Saturday, June 23, 2007, on the last leg of the cultural promotion of Dinagyang which brought the Iloilo City contingent to a series of shows in the United States. "Fantastic and great dancers!" were some congratulatory words from the audience as they leave the theatre after the performances. In fact, the two curtain calls got standing ovation.
The blisters were courtesy of the hot rough concrete at the World Refugee Day program held Wednesday, June 20 at the Boston Gate Community Center where the dancers in bare feet did the Tinikling and Maglalatik. People milling around the truck stage did not notice the dancers in distress because despite the scorching surface, the latter remained graceful and smiling.
Four dancers suffered second degree burns requiring them to let their feet rest for two days but this did not stop them from enjoying a window shopping spree at the Mall of America later in the evening and doing world-class acts on Saturday. The appearance at the refugee program was coordinated by the Cultural Society of Filipinos in Minnesota (CSFM).
In Minnesota, Dinagyang was first featured Tuesday, in the annual parade of the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. Advanced information from the Philippine Center of Minnesota (PCM), which entered the group in the parade, reported that the Dinagyang presentation has garnered an award as Best Crowd Pleaser. The parade, considered as one of the biggest spectacles in that part of the state, was participated in by about 125 groups and Dinagyang was participant number 100. People lining up the streets were very appreciative of the exotic costume and spirited streetdance; they met the approaching entourage with applause and whistles. The drum accompaniment was just a recording coming from a speaker atop the van that was at the back of the warriors. The group was joined by members of several Filipino groups under the umbrella of the PCM - the Filipino Minnesotan Association (FMA), the CSFM, Philippine Study Group, Philippine Nurses Association, Philippine Medical Association, among others.
The big event happened Saturday at the Hopkins High Auditorium in Minnetonka. Two shows were scheduled in one day – matinee at 2 PM and the gala at 7 PM. The program opening number was a Dinagyang streetdance with all the sixteen performers on stage. This was followed by the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner Hymn and the Lupang Hinirang. Dr. Lourdes Nannette Beltran, President of the PCM welcomed the show goers and the ritual welcome dance Pang-alay was next. Iloilo City Tourism Officer and Dinagyang Executive Director Benito Jimena delivered an introductory message about Iloilo City, Dinagyang, and the ECD Dance Company; the cultural mission and its objectives; extending the hand of goodwill and friendship; and an invitation to visit Iloilo City in January 2008 for the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.
Dances were divided into five suites – the Cordillera, Maria Clara, Muslim, Rural, and Fiesta. These were executed with perfect artistry by the ECD dancers. Every suite was complemented with a fashion show representing the dance costumes. Each show ran for almost three hours. Plaques of appreciation were presented by PCM to Mr. Benito Jimena, Edwin Duero - artistic director of the ECD Dance Company, and Hector Gellangarin - costumer designer.
These days, sunset in Minnesota is at 9:30 PM giving the group some time to go around the attractions of the Twin Cities. Minnesota is known as the State of Ten Thousand Lakes and is home to the basketball Timberwolves, baseball Twins and football Vikings. It is here where the Mississippi River begins and it divides the Eastern and the Western States in the National Basketball Association. It also divides the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It is hub of the Northwest Airline, headquarters of Best Buys and 3M (Minnesota Manufacturing and Mining Corp.); it is where Mall of America and Mayo Clinic are.
On Sunday, June 24, the group was invited to perform at the basketball tournament sponsored by the Filipino Minnesotan Association (FMA). Binasuan and Dinagyang tribal dances were presented during the half-time of a championship game between the red team and the blue team. Those Filipinos in attendance were very much impressed by the presentation that a basket passed around for donation has accumulated about $110 at the end of the break.
The FMA has relatively the biggest membership among Filipino organizations in the State of Minnesota. It has members all over the state and has undertaken activities that promote Philippine heritage, sports events, and concerts.