Bayanihan wins in Athens Games

Updated 11:26pm (Mla time) Aug 25, 2004
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A17 of the August 26, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

ATHENS, Greece -- The golden feat will not register in the official medal tally, but the pride and joy it brought to Filipino workers here could be equal to a victory in the Olympic competition proper.

The Bayanihan dance troupe, national folk dance company of the Philippines, thrilled and captivated spectators here at the Technopolis in the Gazi district for the second straight night Tuesday in what many in the big crowd noted was an achievement equal to an Olympic gold medal.

The great performance could've indeed come as a consolation to a great horde of Filipino overseas workers here who have started to feel frustrated over the poor performance of the Philippine contingent in the Olympic field.

But more than soothe the pride of Filipinos in this sunny, dignified capital, Bayanihan's well-applauded stint, vivid with warm, graceful, bright, precise and liquid numbers, was hailed as a confirmation of a people's golden heritage.

So thrilled and touched was a big group of Filipino workers that they threw an impromptu party among kababayans (countrymen) in the residence of Batangueña Pita Avinante, a 23-year resident of Athens after Tuesday's show.

"You bet it was as good as an Olympic gold," swore Belgian Patrick Blomme, an immigrant who strayed into the cultural affair and instantly fell in love with the Philippines.

Pablo Farrales, a visitor with sharp Castillian features, called the Bayanihan very professional, adding he was not surprised that the group continued to win awards and captivate international audiences.

The foreign dignitary said the RP government should exert effort to send more goodwill ambassadors like the Bayanihan abroad.

The troupe, now called the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, performed here upon the invitation of Deputy Mayor Panos Loukakos for it to participate in "Celebrating Cultures," part of the 2004 Olympics cultural program.

Fittingly, the world-renowned troupe was coming in from the 47th International Folk Festival in Italy, where it won the coveted Gold Temple Award and the Absolute Gold Award for overall excellence in dance, music, costume and production.

If foreigners were awed, Filipinos in the audience were overjoyed, rewarded.

"Malungkot talaga kami dahil walang nanalong Filipino sa Olympics. Pinaligaya kami ng Bayanihan, napakaganda po talaga (We were disappointed that no Filipino won in the Olympics. The Bayanihan thrilled us, their performance was delightful)," attested Carol Bravo, a mother of two who works with the RP embassy educational section.

Freddie Abando of the National Broadcasting Network confirmed that the over a dozen foreigners he had interviewed all offered rave comments.

Bayanihan's splendid stint here could serve as a timely send-off for three RP taekwondo jins, set to plunge into action starting today in the country's last-ditch bid to land a medal following the fall of the four-man national boxing team.

Expectations, as usual, are high for the jins.

But whether they succeed or not, it cannot be said here that RP never had a golden moment in the Athens Olympics.

Thats so awesome. Do you know what dances they did?

WOW!!!!!! s im so happy! i had no idea about dis!



i wanans ee videos!!!!!! got any?

No, This is just an article.

what about pictures?