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FilWeb Asia's Career Development Department in their traditional costumes

FilWeb’s Career Dev’t Dept. Holds “Buwan ng Wika” Celebration

Buwan ng Wika is not just a national event in schools where students perform folk dances, bring out their inner Balagtas, or mimic Ryan Cayabyab in composing Kundiman. It is also a significant occasion to commemorate our colorful and unique cultural traditions that make every Filipino proud and distinct.
In celebration of the said event, FilWeb Asia’s Career Development Department, headed by its Department Manager, Ms. Anne Michelle Peregrina, held a small competition where each team performed the country’s most colorful and most popular folk dances. Ms. Rea Labayo and Ms. Czarina Barba from the Admin Department, as well as Ms. Joanne Gonzales from the Digital Content and Marketing (DCM) Department were among the panel of judges. They determined the winning teams based on the following criteria:
Choreography, Style, Creativity, and Originality – 50%
Performance, Sequence, and Message – 30%
Costume – 10%
Audience Impact – 10%
Total: 100%

1st Performers: 1st Group of Proofreaders -Cariñosa

Group members: Paul Enicola, Wilma Constantino, Renalie Uchi, Myla Catalan, Ricardo Martinez, Jona Vallesta, and Rommel Umandap wonderfully performing the Cariñosa dance.


Cariñosa is a Filipino folk dance of Hispanic origin. The word “cariñosa” means “the affectionate one” in Spanish. This courtship dance portrays acts of flirtation between a man and a woman performing steps resembling hide-and-seek movements. The woman holds a handkerchief or a fan.

2nd Performers: 1st Group of Writers – Tinikling

Group members: Jhoy Matias, Julia Mozo, Zorayda Alvarez, Katherene Lopez, JM Ramiscal, and Kristine Tagle on their thrilling “Tinikling” performance.


Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance, which originated during the Spanish colonial era. This dance involves two people beating, sliding, and tapping bamboo poles against each other and on the ground, in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles.

3rd Performers: 2nd Group of Writers – Ifugao Dance

Group members: Topher Rivera, Hannah Alforque, Jhaz Manabit, Gestine Clete, Tyrone Castillo, and Des Donasales in their vibrant costumes for the Ifugao dance.


Many dances originate from the Ifugaos: Banga, Bendayan, Lumangen, Manmanok, Ragsaksakan, Salip, Tarektek, and Salisid. These dances depict its tribe’s rituals as they celebrate their daily life, good harvest, courtship, health, peace, war, and other symbols of living.

4th Performers: Support Group – Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Group members: Clerence Bergantiños, Jean Arahan, Anna Liza Remo, Lavinia Laviña, and Charmaine Cruzgarcia gracefully dance the “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”.


Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a famous Philippine folk dance, which commenced in Mindoro. The word “pandanggo” is from the Spanish “fandango,” a dance in 3/4 time. The phrase “sa ilaw,” on the other hand, refers to the three oil lamps that a dancer has to balance: one on the head, and one on the back of each hand.

5th Performers: 3rd Group of Writers – Interpretative Dance of Katutubong Awit

Group members: Rae Sangalang, Edmon Valeda, Gian Garcia, Realyn Judan, and Criz Villaseran with their matching costumes and face paint.


Folk songs and OPM patriotic songs are popularly used in an interpretative dance. Most of such performances depict the destruction of nature caused by humans’ abusive ways or the story of how our country has suffered and was freed from the foreign invaders.

6th Performers: 2nd Group of Proofreaders – Pantomina

Group members: Rommel Umandap, Paul Enicola, Totsie Arcellano, Fresa Umengan, Edryl Castro, and Ricardo Martinez dancing Pantomina, a popular traditional wedding dance from the Bicol region.


Pantomina is a widely popular dance in Catanduanes. The word itself comes from the Spanish word, Pantomime, which includes movements imitating the courtship of the rooster and the hen.

7th Performers: 4th Group of Writers – Itik-Itik

Group members: Diana Reglos, Vea Lynn Natividad, Karen Pacheco, Ivy Retardo, Jazz Vallesta, and Rechel Bano in their lively, colorful costumes for the Itik-Itik dance.


Itik-itik is a mimetic Philippine folk dance that stemmed from Cantilan, Surigao Sur. This dance composed of a pair, imitating the arm and foot movements of a duck.

The Winners

After the serious deliberation of the panel of judges, Ms. Anne Michelle Peregrina announced the winners as follows:

Best in Costume: Support Group – Pandanggo sa Ilaw
2nd Runner-up: 4th Group of Writers – Itik-Itik
1st Runner-up: Support Group – Pandanggo sa Ilaw
CHAMPION: 1st Group of Writers – Tinikling

Besides the announcement of winners, Ma’am Michelle also recognized the following top performers of the department for the 2nd quarter of 2017:

Support of the Quarter (Q2 – 2017): Jean Arahan
Writer of the Quarter (Q2 – 2017): Rommel Umandap
Proofreader of the Quarter (Q2 – 2017): Renalie Uchi
100% Attendance Award (June): Clerence Bergantiños, Hannah Alforque, Karen Pacheco, Rommel Umandap, and Realyn Judan
PR Assistant/Mentor of the Month (June & July): Fresa Umengan
Customer Care Specialist of the Month (June & July): Jean Arahan
100% Attendance Awardees for the Month of July: Rommel Umandap, Hannah Alforque, Realyn Judan, Zorayda Alvarez, Clerence Bergantiños, Jasmin Vallesta, Karen Pacheco, and Rechel Bano.
FilWeb Asia's Career Development Department dresses up for Buwan ng Wika
FilWeb Asia’s Career Development Department (CDD) writers and editors in their respective traditional Filipino dresses and costumes