The Thursday (November 3) episode of “Umagang KayGanda” instantly became a talk of the town when they featured folk dancing is for the low class, servants and the poor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECGdPnVbPB8
This particular segment shows Ariel Ureta talking about the “Dance Kids” champion Crazy Duo and their accomplishments while a trivia about ballroom dancing is flashing on the screen.
The line that says “Ang folk dancing ay para sa mga lower class, taga silbi o mahihirap” has earned the ire from the netizens especially from a former dancer of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe.
Ching Danseco, a former performing artist at Bayanihan had asked followers to share: “…hala ka!!! juice ko po naman #ukg#umagangkayganda ano ba naman klaseng #researcher meron kayo!!! paging management of #abscbn nagmomonitor po ba kayo ng mga ipinapalabas ng inyong mga programa? sobrang mali po ang naging pahayag nila na ang #folkdancing ay para sa mga lower class tagasilbi o mahihirap, hindi ko po ito matanggap at masikmura!!! maging responsable naman po sana kayong mamamahayag,”
Netizen Maileen Tutanes commented on Danseco’s post, “So disappointing, they need to be educated. FYI ABS , Folk dance is from our very rich culture and traditions wherein Singkil dance was performed by a ” Princess “, Tribal dances performed by “Chieftains” , Maria Clara suites/ Jota by elite Aristocrats. This dances were performed Locally and in International dance festivals because it represents ” All of us Filipinos “.”
Netizen Jose Arnel Flores also reacted, “This is insane! Whoever the researcher of ABS-CBN is insane! I’ve been dancing this treasures of ours for how many years! You don’t have no right to discriminate the dancers who dedicate their lives to preserved our culture! Post the correct information!”
Another netizen Clarissa Reyes also shared her sentiments, “Whooowwwww!!! What is this?! Does this TV station still knows the word Respect? Well obviously the one who is responsible for this definitely is poor in education and doesnt know his/her own identity. FYI!Folk dances are dances developed by groups of people that reflect the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. It is from the people and therefore for the people. For everybody as folkdancing is a form of dance that bridges cultural understanding among different regions/country. I seldom comment on post in FB but I just felt I need to say something. It pains me that there are Filipinos with such kind if mentality. Even living abroad we never let go of our own identity as a Filipino and always take part in the promotion of our culture thru Folk Dancing when given a chance and Ive always took pride about it. Hope that this be given much attention. Thanks Ching for Sharing.”
We really need to strengthen the studies on appreciation of our cultural heritage to avoid this kind of wrong information.
Folk dances require great discipline as the steps & manners of execution involve delicacy and stern focus. Not because the dance itself is only being showcased in most public schools & least private sectors, does it readily mean that the art is of low caliber & class. Folk dances, no matter where the origin is, are and will always be the foundation of what you consider high class arts & must not be taken so lightly.
