A dancer performs the Sinulog, a popular Visayan dance, during the Cultural Presentation.

SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – The Cultural Presentation held in the evening of 11 December 2008 at the Surigao City Gym proved to be one of the biggest events during the grand celebration of the Centenary of MSC Presence and Mission in the Philippines.

The two-hour presentation was a mix of dances, songs, plays, mimes and videos. It commenced and ended with lively and colorful performances that featured the traditional dances of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The three different island groups featured in the dance represent not only the multicultural character of the archipelago but also the various places where the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have worked in the Philippines.

A group of young people from the MSC parishes in Surigao performed a comical skit about the arrival of the first MSC in Surigao. They also playacted a short drama about the land and environmental problems in Agusan and what the MSC are doing to help those affected. They also did an interpretative dance based on the song “Buhay ay Bukid” which showed the life and struggles of farmers in Nueva Ecija and how the MSC are helping them find solutions to their problems.

The song composed by Fr Ricky Bermudez, MSC entitled “Dyos Ang Pag-Ibig” was performed live by Camille Morvil. Not to be outdone, Fr Rudy Ibale, MSC sang two songs on stage.

An interpretative dance based on “Buhay Seminarista” was performed by MSC scholastics and novices. The dance was not only meant to entertain but also to show that life in the seminary is fun, interesting and meaningful.

A series of videoclips was shown in between live performances. The clips showed the history of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart as well as the life and mission of the MSC in the Philippines.

The following is a slideshow of the photos taken during the Cultural Presentation. You can also find the photos here.