---

FILIPINO GIVEN SPECIAL PRIZE AT INTERNATIONAL MODERN DANCE TILT IN SEOUL

Mr. Raquitico overcame three hurdles in the KIMDC’s highly competitive Senior Male Division: qualifying for the elimination round in Seoul, then making it to the semifinals and the finals of the competition. The 2015 KIMDC Grand Prix was won by Kwon Min-chan of the Korea Contemporary Dance Company, who also clinched the Gold Prize in the Senior Male Division.

The Korea Dance Association Award is one of three special prizes given at the 2015 KIMDC, together with the Jury Award and the Choreography Award.

A panel of professional choreographers and directors, composed of Huang Lei from China, Beyhan Murphy from Turkey, Yunyu Wang from Taiwan, Wendy Chiles from Canada, and Kim Hyun-nam from Korea chose three winners for gold, silver and bronze prizes each for the Senior Male, Senior Female and Junior Divisions.

An alumnus of the University of the Philippines (UP), Mr. Raquitico was a member of the UP Street Dance Club, the university’s official hip hop dance group, competing at the first Skechers Street dance Battle and Dan celebration. He trained in jazz dance with the late Danny Marshall of Douglas Nierras Power dance (DNP), among other choreographers. 

He was joined at the competition by fellow UP graduate Mr. Erick Dizon, a dancer and teacher of modern jazz, ethnic and folk, and contemporary dance, in qualifying for the KIMDC’s elimination round in Seoul. Mr. Dizon was President of the University of the Philippines’ Filipiniana Dance Group from 2011 to 2013 and has performed in local and international tours with them.

They are coached by Daloy Dance Company Artistic Director and veteran choreographer Ea Torrado, who has toured extensively in the Philippines, the U.S., Russia, Europe, Scotland, Cambodia, and Japan, as principal and soloist in classical and contemporary full-length ballets with Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines and Dance Theatre of Tennessee.

With the support of the MCST, the 2015 KIMDC attracted dancers from Korea, China, the Philippines, France, U.S., Mexico, Russia, Japan, and Taiwan, among others. It is envisioned to become one of the world’s most famous dance competitions and a center where all professionals can exchange their artistic talents and inspirations of modern dance.

---

PHL AMBASSADOR ATTENDS 1^ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINOS IN THAILAND

30 July 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon attended the Association of Filipinos in Thailand (AFT) in their 1^st General Assembly, on July 25, at the Mary Help of Christians Church in Bangkok. The event started with a Eucharistic celebration followed by the oath-taking of AFT officers and members lead by Vice Consul Jim Minglana.

The AFT was founded in 1999 and currently has 150 members. According to its President, Mr. Efren Villanueva, the AFT provides assistance to its members by conducting programs and trainings. The AFT is the first organized Filipino community group in Thailand, and is one of the members of the Filipino Community Organizing Committee (FCOC).

---

PHL AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

30 July 2015 - The new Philippine Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon met with select Filipino community organization representatives on July 24 at the Embassy.

The Filipino community representatives briefly introduced their organizations, and informed Ambassador Bernardo-Aragon about their plans and projects for their members. Ambassador Bernardo-Aragon expressed her appreciation to the representatives for their support and assistance to the Embassy, especially in organizing community events and projects.