From the fog-kissed highlands of the Cordillera to a packed theater in Baguio City, BCU’s dance troupes showed what it means to move with both roots and rhythm.
By Karl Matthieu Rillera
On April 19, 2026, ahead of the global observance on April 29, the Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe and the Centralian Street Dance Troupe, led by their coach Ms. Lea Angelica R. Alhambra, proudly represented Baguio Central University during the city’s celebration of International Dance Day. The event was held at the Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen, CICM Center for Culture and the Arts Theater at Saint Louis University.
Organized by the Dance Association of Baguio City, the celebration gathered various dance groups from across the city. Performers showcased a vibrant mix of genres, including ballet, contemporary, Latin, hip-hop, Polynesian, and folk dance. Beyond the performances, Baguio City reaffirmed its place as a city where culture and the arts are living, breathing pillars of community life.
The participants were as follows: Allongé Dance Studio, Aloha Philippines, Baguio Metamorphosis, Ballet Baguio, BCU Dance Troupe, BCNHS SPA Dance, HOME: A Company of Creatives, SLU Dance Troupe, TJS Dancesport Team, University of Baguio Graces Dance Troupe, University of Baguio Bibak Ubbun Kaafuan (UBBUK)
International Dance Day: Honoring a Global Celebration
International Dance Day was established in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), a UNESCO-recognized body, and has been observed annually on April 29 since then—the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, the 18th-century choreographer regarded as the father of modern ballet.
What began as a tribute has grown into a worldwide movement that brings together artists, educators, and communities around a single, shared language—movement. BCU’s participation in Baguio City’s early celebration placed our students exactly where they belong: at the center of that conversation, carrying Cordilleran voices onto a global stage.
Showcasing Cordilleran Heritage
BCU Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe graced the stage with their performance. Photo credit: The Baguio Channel.
The Baguio Central University (BCU) Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe is the university’s official cultural dance group, dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich ethnic dances of the Cordillera region. Composed of student scholars, many of whom are actively engaged in their respective Indigenous communities, the troupe brings authenticity and meaning to every performance. During the event, the group performed the Ragragsakan, a traditional dance from Kalinga. The term “Ragragsakan,” derived from the Ilocano language, means “merriment” or “rejoicing.” Commonly performed during weddings and peace pact celebrations, the dance depicts the joyful spirit of Kalinga women.
Close-up shot of the members of the BCU Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe, proudly wearing the cultural attire from Kalinga Province. Photo credit: The Baguio Channel.
Dancers gracefully balance the labba, a traditional woven headbasket symbolizing women returning from the mountains after gathering water or attending communal festivities. The performance is enriched by the rhythmic sounds of the gangsa, a set of traditional flat gongs played by male performers, creating a dynamic and culturally immersive presentation.
The group is represented by their members: Abbacan, Genesis; Bang-i, Josie; Dacay, Dejay; Dagdagen, Sarah; Dalgo, Aiza; Daliyong, Manuel; Dayucong, Luno; Dinulong, Zeah; Domacyon, Jasper; Donggayao, Chloe; Ducusin, Karen; Facullo, Jessica; Fang-asan, Marcy; Magnual, Niki; Maticyeng, Lander; Mayugao, Harvylee; Napiloy, Angel; Sayaan, Wendy; Te-od, Charles.
Bringing Modern Energy on Stage
BCU Centralian Street Dance Troupe sets the stage ablaze with their hip-hop performance. Photo credit: Shutter Bug Photography.
The Baguio Central University (BCU) Centralian Street Dance Troupe serves as the university’s official group for modern and street dance styles. Composed of student scholars, they passionately explore genres such as street, hip-hop, Afro, Dancehall, and femme. The group is represented by: Beran, Robert Kenneth M.; Cordoviz, Francine B.; Daligdig, Destiny-Hope M.; Daguioag, Clyde Van Hart B.; Gallema, Jasper Ryan C.; Laoyan, Jason A.; Madriaga, Annie-Lie G.; Manipon, Shelemiah V.; Marquez, Jeryka Shane A.; Nicolas, Princess Lea Carl; Opiana, Nica D.; Resurreccion, Valerie E.; Reyes, Kenneth E.; Sabado, Shainan Rose L.; Tabor, Nicole P.; Trinidad, Jho-Ane Cassey I.
BCU Centralian Dance Troupe showcasing their groove on the stage; the moves show their versatility in dance. Photo credit: Shutter Bug Photography.
During the celebration, the group energized the audience with a lively Hip-Hop performance set to “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars. Their routine showcased precision, rhythm, groove, and expressive choreography, reflecting the evolving landscape of modern dance while engaging a diverse audience.
A Celebration of Talent, Culture, and Expression
Curtain call for the successful performances by the different dance groups participating in the International Dance Day Concert 2026. Photo credit: The Baguio Channel.
The International Dance Day Concert 2026 gathered Baguio City’s finest dance communities under one roof and reminded everyone in that theater why the arts matter. For BCU, the night was a living proof of what the university stands for—students who are scholars of their culture, custodians of indigenous knowledge, and confident performers on any stage they are called to grace.
Aligned with Global Frameworks: WURI and the UN SDGs
BCU’s participation in the 2026 International Dance Day Concert reflects meaningful alignment with two recognized global frameworks for institutional excellence and social responsibility. Under the World University Rankings for Innovation, this initiative directly supports Category B4: Culture and Values, which recognizes universities that foster an institutional culture shifting toward student-centered and community-centered thinking, promote shared values, and build an adaptive culture of creativity and collaboration.
The Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe’s performance of the Ragragsakan and the Centralian Street Dance Troupe’s hip-hop showcase together embody BCU’s values of Veritas, Equitas, Libertas, and Justitia, honoring indigenous truth, celebrating all artistic forms with equity, and expressing the freedom of creative identity in the public sphere.
The activity also resonates with Category A1: Student Support and Engagement, as both troupes are composed of student scholars who actively participate in community life and Indigenous cultural stewardship beyond the classroom.
On the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) front, BCU’s dance engagement aligns most directly with SDG 4: Quality Education, specifically Target 4.7 (by 2030, ensure learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity), and its associated Indicator 4.7.1, which measures the extent to which global citizenship education and education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in curricula, student assessments, and teacher education.
The Fungakan Cultural Dance Troupe’s preservation of Kalinga heritage through performance is a direct act of cultural education. It is one that passes indigenous knowledge from community to audience, affirming BCU’s role as a guardian of living Cordilleran traditions.
The activity also touches SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly Target 11.4 (strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage) and Indicator 11.4.1, which tracks total expenditure and efforts per capita devoted to the preservation and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage. BCU’s sustained investment in its cultural dance troupes, particularly those dedicated to indigenous performance traditions, is a concrete institutional contribution to this goal.
BCU extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Dance Association of Baguio City, founded by Ms. Rebecca Nulud, for the warm invitation to perform. Thank you for giving our troupes a stage to celebrate what they carry: culture, community, and pride in who they are.
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References:
International Dance Day – International Theatre Institute ITI. (n.d.). https://www.international-dance-day.org/internationaldanceday.html
Ramon Obusan Folklore Foundation Inc. (2022, January 6). ROFG. https://rofg1972.com/ragragsakan-learn-more/
Baguio Central University Dance Troupe: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CaMG44MqS/
Baguio City International Dance Day Concert: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BoBhFApV6/; https://www.facebook.com/share/1DkWvMHip2/
