• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan lauded the Bailes de Luces dancers for being world-class performers after they were adjudged as the Senior Grand Champion in the 2024 World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
The winning group were accorded a heroes’ welcome upon their arrival at the Bacolod-Silay Airport almost Tuesday midnight and in La Castellana early morning Wednesday.
“Despite the overwhelming odds, challenges and obstacles along the way, we have achieved our ultimate dream of bringing the Bailes de Luces performers in the international stage,” the mayor said.
The Bailes de Luces represented the Philippines in the Group Dance category of the WCOPA also known as the “Olympics of Talents” earlier this month in Long Beach, California in the United States.
“It is not just the talent that they have shown to the world, but somehow it’s a way for them to achieve their dreams in the future,” Nicor-Mangilimutan said.
While there is no cash prize, “it still brings pride and honor to La Castellana and serves as a gateway for the town to be known worldwide.”
The WCOPA Team Philippines 2024, among them the Bailes de Luces performers, brought home 269 medals.
Before joining WCOPA competitions, the Bailes de Luces group had performed in South Korea and Germany.
Bailes de Luces performers, who are clad in colorful costumes, use light-emitting diode (LED) props during the festival held from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5 each year in La Castellana. | GB
