The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, in partnership with the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), turned the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony into a dazzling “golden journey.”
The large-scale production combined choreography, stage design, and precision-timed props with a fireworks display and the mounting of the concert dubbed “HOPE.”
As this season’s host university, UST kicked off the festivities with a campus-wide opening program at the UST Grandstand and Open Field in España, Manila, on Sept. 19.
Salinggawi choreographer and artistic director Stephen Biadoma said the collaboration was part of the plan since the beginning.
“This is really a Thomasian activity. Right from the start, I really thought of collaborating with (CFAD) since this is a very big project,” he said. “CFAD has the manpower, minds and hands to do it.”
Preparations began months in advance, involving brainstorming on the concept, materials, and what Biadoma referred to as the “science of the props.” Rehearsals were conducted every Sunday.
Each week, CFAD delivered completed props to Salinggawi for run-throughs. After testing, the items were sent back to CFAD for adjustments and refinements before the next practice.
“Because dance is very visual, the props really helped them out in conveying the message of the dance. So since it involved a lot of people, it really helped in the visual spectacle of the whole performance, which is really needed for an opening production number,” Biadoma said.
The stage also became a collaborative space, featuring college dance troupes from different departments, which Biadoma described as their “largest UAAP opening to date.”
It also marked the first large-scale partnership between Salinggawi and CFAD under Biadoma’s artistic direction.
For the dancers, the project became a professional training ground, as working with designers offered a new perspective “outside of the group and outside of the dance.”
“Mas maayos at mas naintindihan (ng Thomasian dancers) kung paano makapagtrabaho outside of the dance troupe and understanding not just the dance aspect of the performance, but also other aspects such as props-making and costume-making,” Biadoma said.
Biadoma added that the collaboration went beyond just one project.
“This is about building a unified Thomasian community. Kapag may mga ganitong malalaking pagtitipon, or celebration, we can count on each other’s efforts and commitment to really pull off a big production for the Thomasian community and for Thomasian pride.” David Nigel C. Cortes
