UPAABC stages 9th Season of Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula, at Sayawan

8/25/2023

By Bella Balisi Bevilacqua
August 18, 2023, Friday, 7PM-9PM was no ordinary day for the Filipino community, especially the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia.

The 9th Season of “Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula, at Sayawan '' was held at the Praise International Church in Surrey, BC, and was attended by an audience of more than a hundred strong. The show is an annual event hosted for free admission by the UPAABC, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver.

Program opened with the Himig Kabataan’s rendition of both Canada’s and the Philippines’ National Anthems, Welcome Remarks by UPAABC President Bella Balisi Bevilacqua, and Consul Erika Abad on behalf of Consul-General Arlene Magno.

Line of performances included UP alumnus Cliff Belgica’s Ivadoi Bendian Dance - a traditional Cordillera tribal war dance, Ikaw and Rosas ng Pandan (Harana/Kundiman) by Himig Kabataan, and the timeless traditional dance numbers of PCG to the tune of Alitaptap and Binatbatan. (“Binatbatan” is an Ilocano occupational folk dance translating the old, painstaking process of weaving “abel”, the Ilocano’s indigenous woven cloth.) Former UP Diliman Professor Veronica Caparas recited her original historical narrative poetry with the title, “Wika Mo, Wika Niya, Wika Ko… Anong Wika Yan?”.

This year’s Balagtasan theme was “Isang Libo’t Isang Salita ng mga Makabagong Makata” which meant to send the message that the Filipino language is beautiful, remarkable, and unique on its own so it is important to stage programs like the Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula, at Sayawan to celebrate its rich salient point in Philippine history and literature. Filipino is also the National Language of the Philippines. Staging Isang Libo’t Isang Salita ng mga Makabagong Makata were Ahmed Tillah II as Lakandiwa (mediator), and Mylene Lim and Rosette Correa as Lakambini/s (debating poets).

The UPAABC’s famous alumni band, FAM (Friends, Apothic, and Music) pre-closed the event with its energetic and pop performance of the Panahon na Para Magsaya dance medley. The group’s dance medley is always a series of classic Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Closing songs were Bayan Ko at Ako ay Pilipino, and were rendered perfectly by Ms. Janice Lozano.

August is the National Language Month of the Philippines and this year’s theme was “Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Wika ng Kapayapaan, Seguridad, at Ingklusibong Pagpapatupad ng Katarungang Panlipunan”. - BBB

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The UPAABC’s 2023 Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula, at Sayawan: 9th Season can be viewed in video here:

We would like to thank our lovely sponsors – Praise International Church, Sun Life (Jett Vicencio), Greatway (Vicki Buechler), United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC), Hablon Styles and Hues, Northam Law, T1 Mobile, BMO (Chris Canilanza), Terra International Food Inc. (Terra Foods), Cucina Balai, Paradise Drinks, Coal Prints and Signs, Reyfort TV.

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President's Message

Dear UPAABC Comrades,

It is 4AM, and it has taken me forever even to just give a quick notch at my keyboard to type this. I have to be stupendously honest that I have been having anxiety to even start writing. The last time I’ve been into this very same mood and situation was when I delivered a speech in front of a graduating class that asked me to become their Guest Speaker. And, yes, I have gone through the same struggle. I was only able to make out a good write up that I thought – actually -- made sense two hours before I was made to join the class upstage. Having narrated all these, I don’t think I’d be able to make the kind of sense that will satisfy your true-blue, forever-hungry-of-new-knowledge, green-and-maroon minds and souls.

But… Here it goes! On behalf of the Board, I will try and do my utmost best to deliver in the same way I have come to realize just how humble and open-minded you all were to give me this chance to serve our Isko floor with the highest post and honour– given, at first, my “reluctant” leadership behaviour—for 2023 and 2024.

To an Iskolar ng Bayan, to serve is always pleasurable. There is this indescribable tinge of mixed anticipation and excitement that comes with a bit of anxiety and gratefulness whenever the trumpet of service and calling sounds its horns. Yes, the trumpet always howls from up the mountain to make sure that everyone down in the valley hears the loudness of the message. And, sure, the whole UPAABC township never fails to grasp and decode the Morse code of “pagtatanghal” ng mga “humayong” hinubog na anak ng bayan galing sa pambansang pamantasan ng Pilipinas, ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

It is of an august honour to serve as President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia for years 2023 and 2024. The new Board is here not to shake and rattle. We are here to keep up because you guys have already been shaking and rattling and swinging the UPAABC wagon amid the constantly changing winds of time. We are here to uphold and respect legacies and footprints that are meant to stay, as we all are also here to work with you the necessary transformations that our organization will need to continue thriving in the next long years, as it already did for almost five golden decades now.
Allow the new Board and I to polish the specifics of our Strat Plan and Proposed Calendar of activities for 2023. Your suggestions have been heard, and we want to make sure that one and all is happy to participate in each of the mapped activities. We will retain traditions that define the UPAABC family; we will introduce exciting youngblood programs that will make this family and comradeship even more impactful.

Allow me to express the deepest, warmest accolade and respect to our President Emerita, Anita “Cookie” Aytona, and the past board for their invaluable contributions, projects, and unconditional support to the newly-boarded officers. Without you all being our mentors, who would we be today and tomorrow? Many thanks for the untiring calibrations! Without all these timely tools, how do we carry on from today until the boat is ready to sail on its own? There are no words to properly express our gratitude.

On behalf of the 2023 and 2024 Board of Directors, maligaya at malikhaing Bagong Taon! Thank you, unreservedly, in advance, for your soaring and cradling support!

Gracias,

Maribel “Bella” Balisi Bevilacqua
President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC
A.D. 2023 & 2024

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UPAABC stages 9th Season of Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula, at Sayawan

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