Bahaghari dancers win 3rd place in contest, perform for Pila Day

The members of the Bahaghari Cultural Dance Group in one of
their formations during the Interpretative Dance Competition.

The Bahaghari Cultural Dance Group (BCDG), the official folk dance group of Rainbow Institute of Learning, Inc. (RILI), won 3rd place in the Interpretative Dance Contest held July 29 at the municipal plaza of Pila, Laguna. Prior to their competition, the group also performed during the Cultural Night Presentation, July 27, in the same venue.

Though happy and contented, newly elected BCDG president Kate Aprilyn Surbano said that their podium finish was unexpected. She said "It was a surprise for us because we all thought all the other teams were better than us. We also didn't use too much props like the other groups." She also added that the group really practiced hard and focused on making the performance competition level.

BCDG competed against four other dance groups from other secondary schools in Pila--South Greenville School (SGS), San Antonio de Padua College Foundation of Pila, Laguna, Inc. (SAPC), Masico National High School (MNHS), and St. Therese School of Arts and Sciences (STSAS). STSAS won the competition while MNHS landed in the 2nd place.

All competing groups interpreted the song Simulan Mo Sa Isang Pangarap by Bugoy Drilon.

Bahaghari dancers balance earthen pots on their heads while
performing a dance from the Cordilleras called "Banga".

Two days prior to the contest, BCDG also performed at the municipal plaza for the Cultural Night Presentation. The group performed seven folk dances taken from their second concert, Padayon.

Other schools and organizations also participated in the event. In between BCDG's performances, teachers from the public schools presented an ethnic-inspired dance number. After BCDG's presentation, Colegio Monterei de Pila (CMP) presented a dance number accompanied by bamboo percussion instruments.They were followed by SAPC who presented two folk dances. The last performing group were the employees of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) who performed another folk dance.

BCDG received a cash prize and a certificate for their 3rd place finish in the contest. RILI, represented by the group, received a plaque of appreciation for their performance in the Cultural Night Presentation.