T’nalak Cultural Dance Troupe joins Japan’s Midosuji Parade

Sixteen (16) members of the South Cotabato’s pride T’nalak Cultural Dance Troupe proudly represented the Philippines in the MIDOSUJI parade – an international event in Osaka Japan.The delegation from the different municipalities of South Cotabato (Tampakan, Lake Sebu and T’boli) represented the country as they were also able to promote the rich culture of the Philippines more importantly on the diverse culture of South Cotabato, and at the same time promoting the ecotourism of the province as an effort to bring new trade and investments for South Cotabateños.

The Philippine delegations were headed by Dr. Shaimar Tamano of DOT’s Special Concern and Project Coordination Ms. Cecille Villarael, famous designer, Rene Salud and 2006 Bb. Pilipinas international Denille Valmonte. Participants from the Tampakan town were Herbert Navato, May Tambiling, Helen Mae Arceo, Hezil Alquizar, Nelida Sumanday, Michelle Simpal, Rovelyn Tahao and Jay-mar A. Ismael, while participants from Lake Sebu were Joel Gain, Maria Wanan and Rosei Sula and Rodel Hilado of the Municipality of T’boli. The group was headed by Mr. Cesar Sulit Provincial Tourism Coordinator; Ma. Sally Palma and Noel Garovillo, the Artistic Director.

The group’s participation to international event in Japan was made possible by the Department of Tourism, through its office in Osaka Japan, together with the T’nalak Festival Culture Dance Troupe and the Filipiniana Dance Troupe of the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus.

The Philippine team also got the chance to promote tourism through dance during its performance in Takasuki City, where most of their audience were member of the Senior Citizens, Pensioner and Retired Governments Employees of Japan, which are the target market of the Department of Tourism as potential tourist who will be visiting Philippines in the near future.

More than 20 countries and approximately 130 delegation all over the world converge in Midosuji Boulevard where the Festival was named after, to witness and be a part of a colorful celebration that aims to bring all nations, thus uniting them as one. The countries who participated in were Russia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, Bolivia, Taiwan and USA.

It an honor for the country that among others T’nalak Festival culture dance troupe stood up from the rest of the participants because of its unique and colorful costumes (T’nalak) and sounding brass belts. Besides, it was the only group who performed the street dancing while on parade while other participants just simply join the parade along the Midosuji, it is perhaps the reason why the said group gained so much commendation from the Japanese audience.