For the first time in Talisay City, the celebration of Al Cinco de Noviembre highlighted the country’s historic legacy in song and dance with the public performance of the Philippine National Folk Dance group, the Bayanihan Dance Company in the Talisay plaza last November 5, 2018.

The Bayanihan Dance Company performers with Talisay City officials led by Mayor Neil Lizares (3rd from left, standing), Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation Executive Director Suzie Benitez (4th from left, standing), and Bayanihan Chairman & PWU President Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez (5th from left, standing).

With the partnership of Congressman Alfredo Benitez and the City of Talisay through Mayor Neil Lizares, and the cooperation of Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez, Chairman of the Bayanihan Dance Company and President of the Philippine Women’s University, the Bayanihan brought its Teaching and Touching Lives program led by Suzie Benitez, Trustee and Executive Director of the Bayanihan together with 14 top Bayanihan dancers and musicians of the Bayanihan Rondalla.

Wreath-laying at the Gen. Aniceto Lacson Monument. Heirs of Gen. Simon Lizares led by Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares and his family, together with PWU President & Bayanihan Chairman Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez and several Talisay City councilors.

The Al Cinco de Noviembre program also featured performers from Colegio de San Agustin and the Kagayon Dance Troupe, champion of the contemporary dance competition of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Program coordinator was Rene Lacson, Talisay executive assistant for culture and arts.

Earlier in November 5, Talisay Mayor Lizares and PWU President Benitez led city officials, multi-sectoral leaders and the Knights of Columbus in the commemorative and wreath-laying ceremonies for the Talisay heroes of the Negros Day at the monument of General Aniceto Lacson at Ayala North Point.

Heirs of the Talisay 1898 revolutionary movement leaders, General Aniceto Lacson, General Simon Lizares and Don Julio Diaz were presented with tokens of appreciation by the Talisay City government.

Last November 4, 2018 a total of 143 students, teachers, choreographers from schools and barangays in Talisay City experienced the discipline and creativity, the energy and artistry of the Bayanihan as they conducted a Dance Workshop held at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City.

The three-hour workshop also attracted participants from Bacolod, Victorias, Cadiz and Kabankalan Cities. The workshop was capped by a three-minute presentation by four workshop groups tutored by the Bayanihan team to create from the basic dance steps that was taught them.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Benitez and Talisay assistant city administrator Ismael Penado.*