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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) proudly brought Mindanaoan culture to an international audience as USM B’DADALI performed at the Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (SIFMA 6.0) recently at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Invited to take part in the international festival, USM B’DADALI presented Dumendingan, a traditional harvest dance of the indigenous Subanen tribe from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao, Philippines. The dance celebrates a bountiful harvest and the well-being of the community, expressing gratitude for nature’s blessings. It is performed with rhythmic bamboo poles and gongs, requiring agility, timing, and coordination from the dancers.
USM B’DADALI is the sole dance troupe from the Philippines along with performers from Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
Prof. Jessa S. Buisan, USM Culture and Arts Head and coach of the troupe, shared her experience in preparing for the festival. She mentioned that the team faced several challenges but managed to adapt. She said, “When we were preparing the team, we considered some challenges that we might encounter, such as the venue, the type of stage, and the production, which are vital in staging our piece. I prepared two setups for staging as countermeasures before the actual festival, and I am just thankful that the artists were quick and professional enough to adapt to the changes.”
She also said that SIFMA was more than just a performance opportunity, “SIFMA gave us the opportunity to showcase not just our excellence in the performing arts, but also to introduce who we are as people of Mindanao.”
She also hopes that this success will open doors for more artists in the future, “after the overwhelming reception and great success of our SIFMA journey, more invitations from other countries have been laid down this year. We are hoping that these opportunities will continue and will open more doors not just for the USM Bdadali Dance Troupe, but also for other USM artists,” she underscored.
Meanwhile, SIFMA 6.0 served as a gathering of artists from various backgrounds, allowing performers to witness different artistic expressions and learn from one another through live performances and festival activities.
The members of USM B’DADALI who performed at SIFMA 6.0 were Shane Valerie A. Mamaril, Althea Joy E. Paraon, Icy Danille P. Rulona, Krystyl R. Agbay, Maria Mae T. Arquino, Reillyn Jane R. Enopia, Jan Joseph Reynald L. Salome, Kurl Vincent L. Borbon, James M. Paragas Jr., Razid B. Lampak Jr., Emmanuel J. Galendez, Earl Jhon W. Garcia.
Prof. Buisan, Prof. Muhammad Rajiv Buisan, and Dr. Norge D. Martinez, the College of Human Kinetics Dean, spearheaded the delegation.
The university also expressed its gratitude to the Provincial Government of Cotabato under Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, 3rd District Representative Cong. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos, and the Local Government Unit of Kabacan led by Mayor Evangeline Guzman for sponsoring the students’ trip.
The participation of USM B’DADALI showed the dedication and cultural pride of USM students in bringing indigenous Filipino traditions beyond the country. Their performance in Sarawak stands as a proud moment for the University, as it carried the rhythm, spirit, and heritage of Mindanao to an international stage.
