In June 2002, Centro Escolar University conceived an addition to the established CEU performing groups – the CEU Folk Dance Troupe. Its goal is to promote Filipino culture, develop the talents of students in dance, and increase awareness in the importance of dance as a part of human life. Panganiban former Head of the Physical Education Department, tapped National Artist for Dance – Ramon Arevalo
– Obusan as its artistic director and choreographer with Mr. Viri as Dance Director and trainer. A series of auditions were conducted resulting in the selection of thirty equally talented students from different colleges and levels that formed the core group of what is now the CEU Folk Dance Troupe. Just after a semester of intensive training, the group was able to stage a cultural presentation entitled Sayaw Pilipino Handog sa Mundo. Witnessed by the entire CEU community, this first endeavor was very successful and well applaud. From then on, the group performed in different occasions inside and outside the university such as : the 2003 CEU Grand Alumni Homecoming (Coconut Palace), the NAASCU (National Athletic Association of Colleges and Universities) Opening Ceremony in Makati coliseum; for the various Foreign Visitors for CEU and Dr. Emilio Tap’s Birthday Celebration (Manila Hotel) among many others. On November 3002, the CEUFDT presented its second annual presentation – Sayaw Pilipino Handog sa Mundo part 2 with a repertoire of varied selections of well-chosen Filipino dances, showcasing once again the group’s high level of performance and which won them an ivitation to perform in the 2004 and 2005 Sari-saring Sayaw, Sama-samang Galaw at the CCP. Through these performances, the group proves that its objective of promoting Filipino culture and developing values, attitude, discipline and leadership among its dancers/ students complements CEU’s philosophy “Ciencia y Virtud”.
