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Mananayaw: Intensive contemporary dance workshop successfully concludes at MSU-IIT

by Center for Culture and Arts | Mar 25 2025

Mananayaw, an intensive workshop-training on contemporary dance, concluded successfully at MSU-IIT, marking a significant milestone in the university's contemporary dance education. Organized by the Academy of the Arts in MSU-IIT (AAMI) with the university’s Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) under the auspices of the Center for Culture and Arts (CCA), the event took place from March 14 to 16 in the Integrated Developmental School Auditorium at the Hinaplanon Campus.

The workshop aimed to equip participants with both basic and advanced knowledge of contemporary dance, provide effective techniques for performance and choreography, create a repertoire for a dance company, and establish an interest group specializing in contemporary dance.

The workshop had 104 participants, including faculty members, cultural directors, students, and dance enthusiasts from various regions such as Sulu, Maguindanao, Palawan, Butuan City, Naawan, Buug, Maigo, Marawi City, and Iligan City.

Renowned dance masters, Herbert Alvarez and Ma. Elena Lani-og Alvarez, both graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman and former artistic directors and choreographers for the UP Dance Company, facilitated the workshop. 

They introduced the Pitik-Buya method derived from the Soup of Grace technique, focusing on mastering movement styles, techniques, and artistic expressions specific to the piece. Participants gained a deeper understanding of a particular style while exploring the creative process behind choreography.

The workshop fostered artistic expression, cultural diversity, physical and mental well-being, and community collaboration. Participants left with valuable knowledge and techniques that promise to enhance their future performances and choreographies in contemporary dance.

On the third day, the workshop’s culminating activity featured the premiere of MSU-IIT IPAG’s MinDuriaNao, a folk-contemporary dance piece conceptualized and choreographed by Amado C. Guinto Jr. with scenario, text, and music by John Michael C. Lagura. This piece celebrates the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Mindanao. The title, a play on the words Mindanao and Durian, is inspired by Kublai Millan's iconic sculpture, "Giant Durian Genesis Lore," installed at the Davao International Airport.

The recital also showcased the participants’ movement motif outputs from their choreographic laboratories, where they applied elements of spatial design and explored texture as an alternative approach to magnify dance effort and dynamics. Lani-og Alvarez then performed a solo piece demonstrating her Pitik-Buya method.

The final activity crescendoed into a community dance where all participants danced together using traditional movements from their respective regions. The culminating activity was attended by CCA Director Jay Rey G. Alovera and Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Nancy Q. Echavez, representing Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan.

Mananayaw stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to advancing art education, particularly contemporary dance, promising a vibrant future for the art form within the university and beyond.

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