The night was filled with lights, dancing, and music as the Ateneo Culture and Arts spearheaded the first ever Cultural Ball and Sadsad Mindanao held last Feb. 24 at the Martin Hall.
With the theme, “Nurture Culture, Cultivate Artistry”, it aimed to showcase the roots and culture of Mindanao through music and dancing.
General Assistant to the University President Jeremy S. Eliab gave the opening remarks for the event. He also cited a quote on culture by Octavio Paz.
“Any culture is born in mixing, in interaction, in confrontation. Conversely it is in isolation that civilization dies.”
Part of the event was the cultural dance showdown participated by the school clusters and the non-teaching personnel. The dance groups were dressed in the traditional wear of the Mindanaoan ethnic groups.
The competing groups represented some of the tribes of Mindanao particularly the Maranao, Kalagan, Matigsalug, Ira-nun, Sama Badjao, Ovu Manuvu and the Bagobo Clata tribes.
After all the dance numbers, the results were announced.
Business and Management (B&M) Cluster representing the Ira-nun Tribe was declared as the champion. The non-teaching personnel representing the Bagobo Clata Tribe came in second place. The Accountancy cluster representing the Ovu Manuvu won third place.
The Cultural Ball and Sadsad Mindanao was a collaborative effort among several school organizations including Art Company (ArtCo), Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sining at Komunikasyon (SINIKOM), Ateneo Filipino-Chinese Community (AFCC), Filipino-Korean Youth Community (FKYC), Society of Ateneo Literature and English Majors (SALEM), Ateneo Muslim Society, Ateneo Dance Theater (ADT), Ateneo Sidlak Performing Arts Collectives (ASPAC), Glee Club and Ateneo Chorale.
Program Officer for Culture and Arts Jesus Montajes acted as the overall organizer of the event.
Third year Accountancy student Coleen Pioquinto shared how she enjoyed the event.
“Na enjoy ko po [kahit] late lang masyado nag-start. [The event] was a new avenue for students and nonstudents to showcase their talents through performing different cultural dances and showing their wonderful diversity.”
The Cultural Ball and Sadsad Mindanao is one of the events organized by the Arts and Culture Cluster in celebration of the Arts Month.