Partido State University (ParSU) proudly showcased the richness of Sagรฑay's cultural heritage at the "Madya Bayle: A Dance Showcase of Bicol's Cultural Heritage" on September 25, 2026, at the UST-Legazpi Dome.
In collaboration with the Bikol Studies Center, selected ParSU students delivered a captivating performance of ๐๐ถ๐ช๐ฑ๐ข๐ฐ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐จรฑ๐ข๐บ, transforming academic research into dynamic movement. The piece depicts the traditional fishing practices of Sagรฑay, where "Guipao" literally means "school or group of fish," and is rooted in the town's annual festival, founded in 1999 by Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Juan Jarcia III, in honor of St. Andrew the Apostle.ย
The dance literature was developed by Ms. Ma. Sol Conchita Atole and Ms. Lani Peteza, providing the choreography and storyline that shaped the performance. Mr. Marjun Sedeรฑo served as the lead researcher, working alongside Mr. Romen Cano, Ms. Sheila Amoroso, and Dr. Raul Bradecina in developing the research foundation of the piece. Building on this research, Mr. Renato Doctor, Jr., spearheaded the production, translating the findings into a compelling stage presentation.
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ParSU's participation in Madya Bayle highlights how research can find new life through performance. By bringing the research behind ๐๐ถ๐ช๐ฑ๐ข๐ฐ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐จรฑ๐ข๐บ to the stage, the University connected researchers, choreographers, and performers in presenting a piece rooted in Sagรฑay's cultural tradition.
Madya Bayle brings together dance productions informed by research into traditional Bicol dances, allowing their stories, rhythms, and cultural meanings to reach audiences through performance. For ParSU, Guipao can Sagรฑay offered another way to share and keep alive a cultural tradition from one of its neighboring communities.
Through education, research, and the arts, ParSU continues to contribute to the preservation and appreciation of Bicolano cultural heritage.
