Cagayan de Oro is indeed lucky to be the only place outside Manila where the visiting China-Guandong Art Troupe performed during their latest visit.

After a special performance for the diplomatic community at the Cuneta Astrodome in Metro Manila on June 9^th, the troupe made its one and only performance outside the metropolis at the Limketkai Center Atrium last June 11. The troupe’s performance was one of the events lined up to commemorate the 35^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China (PROC).

 The mesmerizing and exotic Peacocks Dancing Along a Brook dance.

It had been some time since we saw a Chinese cultural troupe perform locally, with the one previous to this on October 4, 2006 at the very same venue. And previous to that, the first ever visit to the city was in 1987 when a small team of acrobats performed at the Oloy Roa Coliseum.

Considering the previous frequency with which Chinese cultural troupes previously visited Cagayan de Oro, we are fortunate indeed to have another perform “so soon”, compared to the previous ones, that is.

For this, we have to thank our two resident Siong Hui (chambers of commerce) the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by its energetic president Mr. Efren Uy and the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by the equally competent president Mr. Antonio Lim (Yu Kian Sen).

Coordinating the show from China and Manila were the co-organizers Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines. Proceeds of the show were donated to the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade which now has four units stationed at strategic points all over the city.

 Mr. Efren Uy presides over the press conference with Mr. Fang Jianhon director general of the Dept of Culture, Guandong Province and president  of the Guangdong Art Troupe.

Mr. Fang Jianhong, director general of the Department of Culture, Guandong Province and president of the Guangdong Art Troupe told media during a press conference held before the performance that they had 43 members, 38 of whom were performers in their teens up to the forties.

Guangdong is the starting point of the “Ancient Maritime Silk Road”. It is the hub of Cantonese culture and the forerunner of China’s reforms and open door policy.

“People of Guandong have long maintained long lasting friendships with friends and relatives in Southeast Asia,” Mr. Fang said. “Let us renew our friendship through music and dance.”

  Acrobatics Posing.                               Ms. Fu and her magic umbrella.

The delegation was composed of the South China Song and Dance Troupe, Traditional Orchestra of Guangdong Song and Dance Theatre and the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe. Mr. Fang said the performers were hand picked by the Dept. of Culture of the People’s Government of Guandong Province and had practiced hard for three months to perfect their acts for this particular tour.

And these performers had earned their chops, including dancers who won first prize in the National Professional Dance Competition, traditional orchestra musicians who won  first prize in the National Traditional Orchestra Competition, acrobatics (gold and silver awardees from international and domestic competitions) and winners of National Singing Competitions. Previous to these, they had already toured Europe, North and South America, Southeast Asia, among others.

The majestic and graceful Silk Trapeze Acrobatics act of Zhang Qian and  Yong Guijie was one of the evening's most applauded numbers.

Among the acts which drew ohhhs and ahhhsss from the audience jaded by international cable television were the exotic and mesmerizing “Peacocks Dancing Along the Brook” dance, acrobatics from the “hand-to-hand” act of Hou Lei and Liang Xinxin, the “Diabolo” acrobatics featuring the “Diabolo” (a device very similar to our yo-yo), acrobatic posing and the breath-taking and majestic “Silk Trapeze” with Zhang Qian and Yong Guijie. And not to forget the “Flowery” and magical umbrella of Ms. Fu Caixia.

The China-Guandong Art Troupe to the Philippines’ performance was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the PROC, the Department of Culture of the People’s Government of Guandong Province and the Embassy of the PROC in the Philippines. The troupe also performed in Malaysia and Vietnam.

 All the performers are onstage for the Grand Finale to say thank you and goodbye. We hope to  see you again in The City of Golden Friendship someday.