Milestone
1949
Mrs. Francisca Reyes Aquino, Supervisor of Physical Education of the then Bureau of Education, organized the PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE SOCIETY. Mrs. Carmen Gil de Montes, a Physical Education instructor at Sta. Isabel College was elected President.
1953
The first local chapter of the Society was organized - the Division of City Schools, Manila Chapter under the leadership of Mrs. Carmen F. Adevoso.
1955
The Philippine Folk Dance Society actively participated in the Southeast Asian Regional Conference in Music and Dance by presenting a folk dance festival during the conference.
1957–1964
The best era of the Philippine Folk Dance Society. Its mission of promoting nationalism through folk dancing was felt in many sectors of the country. More chapters were organized. More dance festivals were conducted. These were on the national, regional, and local levels.
One of the best festivals was the “Hiyas ng Lahi Festival” held in Manila. Folk dance numbers were contributed by colleges and universities within the Metro Manila area.
1966
The City of Manila awarded the Philippine Folk Dance Society the “Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan sa Sayaw” on its 395th celebration of “Araw ng Maynila”.
1973
Mrs. Francisca Reyes-Aquino, founder and consultant of the Philippine Folk Dance Society was awarded National Artist Award for Dance. She was the first to receive this award.
1975
A temporary deactivation occurred this year because of political reasons and the Society was re-organized under the leadership of Dr. Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula, Dance Director of the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. Dr. Paz Cielo A. Belmonte, dance director and choreographer of the PNC Barangay Folk Dance Troupe was elected president.
1977
The First Annual Folk Dance Festival was organized by the Folk Arts Theater. This included a folk dance workshop conducted and managed in cooperation with the Philippine Folk Dance Society. Since then, the Society has been a co-sponsor of this annual folk dance workshop of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It had continually attracted folk dance enthusiasts all over the country as shown by the phenomenal increase in participation yearly. On record were more than a thousand participants during the 1992 workshop.
1979
The PFDS logo was introduced. The first Regional Folk Dance workshop sponsored by the Philippine Folk Dance Society in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports – National Capital Region was held at P. Burgos Elementary School, Sta. Mesa, Manila on February 15, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 1979.
The first National Summer Folk Dance Workshop with the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports as co-sponsor was held at P. Gomez Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Manila from April 29 to June 3, 1979. (Sundays only)
The Philippine Folk Dance Society Office at the Folk Arts Theater was inaugurated on May 25, 1979.
A special Dance clinic was held in December 1979 featuring the Pangasinan dances researched by Mrs. Jovita Sison Posadas who came as a balikbayan from the USA.
1990
The Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Outreach program started conducting folk dance workshops on the regional level with members of PFDS, particularly the Board members who acted as resource persons.
1991
The Francisca Reyes Aquino Memorial Foundation was organized with Miss Sally C. Datoc spearheading the movement. Dr. Adelina R. Ferrer was elected President. The Philippine Folk Dance Society, together with Mrs. Celia Tolentino Martinez, Mrs. Aquino’s daughter, was among its patrons.
1991
This was declared the Commemorative Year of Francisca Reyes Aquino. As a fitting celebration of the event, the Philippine Folk Dance Society joined hands with the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the conduct of the following:
A Tertulia – program in honor of Mrs. Aquino
“Pang-alay” dance concert on Aquino dances
Memorabilia Exhibit – exhibit on the life and works of Mrs. Aquino
“O Kikay” - a dance drama on the life and works of Mrs. Aquino, as held at UST, CEU, and CCP. This is a project of the FRAMF.
1993
Lecture-Demonstrations of folk dances were given in honor of Francisca Reyes Aquino with the theme “Moral Recovery Through Sayaw Filipino”. This was held in selected cities in Luzon. The first was held at the Philippine Normal University in March. Again, the Philippine Folk Dance Society was involved in this project. Other venues of the project were Bulacan, Pangasinan, Baguio City, Cavite City, and Legazpi City.
1996–1998
The Association’s programs were rebuilt in the following areas:
1. Approval of the PFDS Organizational Structure
2. Approval of the Six-year Development Plan
3. Extension Programs in Isabela, Davao, Cadiz, and Cagayan de Oro City
4. Collaboration with the World Folklore Festival, World Dance Alliance, and the
5.National Commission for Culture and the Arts on the two international dance conferences
1997
First PFDS Flyer was issued to all members of the annual summer workshop during that year.
1999
Society received an award from the FRAMF during the term of Dr. Larry A. Gabao as President on March 09, 1999.
The Golden Jubilee (50th year) of PFDS was celebrated.
PFDS Sayaw Book was launched last May 17, 1999, at the CCP Main Theater.
Gawad Parangal: Sayaw Bulawan, a recognition to members and other folk dance enthusiast who excelled and made major contributions to the preservation, documentation, and promotion of Philippine folk dances were given last May 22, 1999, at Folk Arts Theater.
Golden Jubilee Dinner-Dance in line with the 50th year of PFDS was realized last May 22, 1999, at Folk Arts Theater.
2001
First National Dance Workshop was conducted out of town. This was held at Saint Louis University, Baguio City.
2003
The PFDS Constitution was revised, amended, and approved during the General Assembly last May 21, 2003.
2007
PFDS conducted the 27th National Folk Dance Workshop at Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu City on May 21 – 25, 2007 in partnership with Sinulog Foundation, PFDS Cebu City Local Chapter, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
2008
PFDS received the “GAWAD CCP PARA SA SINING” awarded by the Cultural Center of the The Philippines last September 8, 2008. The 28th National Folk Dance Workshop was held at Olongapo City Convention Center last May 19 – 23, 2008, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, LGU of the City of Olongapo, and PFDS Olongapo City Local Chapter Philippine Folk Dance Teacher Accreditation Program (PFDTAP) was launched during the National Folk Dance Workshop held at Olongapo City
2009
PFDS has its new name and was registered to Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Katutubong Sayaw ng Pilipinas.
29th National Folk Dance Workshop was conducted at Ateneo de Davao University, Matina Campus Sports Complex, Davao City in partnership with PFDS Region XI Local Chapter, DepEd Region XI, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines last May 18 to 22, 2009.
2010
Philippine Folk Dance Teacher Accreditation Program (PFDTAP) commenced during the conduct of the 30th National Folk Dance Workshop was held at Aquinas University, Legazpi City, Albay last May of 2010 in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Aquinas University, and PFDS Region V Local Chapter.
2011
31st National Folk Dance Workshop was conducted at Bago City last May of 2011 in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, LGU of the City of Bago and PFDS Negros Occidental Chapter.
2012
32nd National Folk Dance Workshop was conducted at newly built Batangas City Convention Center, Batangas City last May 14 -18, 2012. The workshop was in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, PFDS Batangas City Local Chapter and the LGU of the City of Batangas.
2013
33rd National Folk Dance Workshop went back to its original home at the Folk Arts Theater last May 20-24, 2013. This was in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
2014
The PFDS Officers and Board Members underwent Accreditation last October 11, 2014, at the National Arts Center,Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna with Mrs. Emerita E. Basilio, PFDS Adviser, and Accreditor.
34th National Folk Dance Workshop was held at Dagupan City last May of 2014. This was in partnership with the LGU of the City of Dagupan and the PFDS Region II Local Chapter.
2015
PFDS co-sponsored the National Training – Workshop for the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Cultural and the Arts Festival Adjudication held at Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Cagayan de Oro City last August 26-28, 2015.
35th National Folk Dance Workshop was conducted in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, LGU of the City of Vigan, and PFDS Vigan City Local Chapter. This was held at Vigan Convention Center, Vigan City last May 18-22, 2015.
2016
Philippine Folk Dance Teacher Accreditation Program (PFDTAP) concurred with the 36th National Folk Dance Workshop in Dakak, Dapitan City.
1st PFDS Dance Clinique focused on the Dances of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was organized last October 20 to 22, 2016 held at Saint Louis University, Baguio City.
PFDS partnered with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) in the conduct of the National Training in preparation for the competition in Batangas City and Dumaguete City and produced the music for the folk dance competition
PFDS Officers and Board Members went on Cultural Tours and Benchmarking in Bangkok, Thailand last August 30 to September 3, 2016
PFDS conducted the 36th National Folk Dance Workshop at Dakak Resort, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte in partnership with the City Government of Dapitan, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts last May 23 –27, 2016.
2017
PFDS partnered with CCP and NCCA and presented the INDAK PILIPINAS: 2017 FOLKLORIC DANCE FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE held at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo last March 8 & 9, 2017. At 6:00 pm of March 8, it featured the performances of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe, Kaisahan ng Lahi ng Dance Ensemble, KislapSining Dance Troupe (Philippine Normal University), Salinggawi Dance Troupe (University of Sto. Tomas), Aquinas University Dance Troupe (Legazpi City, Albay) and Melengas Dance Ensemble (ZNHS, Pagadian City) and for March 9, the performers were Bayanihan, The National Dance Company of the Philippines, Kaloob Philippine Music and Dance Ministry, Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe (Koronadal City), RTU Dance Troupe (Rizal Technological University), SanlahiPangkatMananayaw(University of Perpetual Help System DALTA), CEU Folk Dance Troupe (Centro Escolar University-Manila) and Sining Palawan Dance Troupe (Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City).
PFDS in partnership with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) featured PFDS Local Chapters: the Sibul-Bulacan, Puerto Princesa-Palawan, Koronadal South Cotabato, Pagadian, and Pangasinan-Region I during the National Dance Research Forum held at last March 07, 2017, at the Aurelio Tolentino, CCP Little Theater.
PFDS conducted the 37th National Folk Dance Workshop at the Lamberto L. Macias Sports & Cultural Complex, Capitol Area, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental in partnership with theCultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, City Government of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental State University and PFDS Negros Oriental Local Chapter last May 22 – 26, 2017.
2018
PFDS conducted the 38th National Folk Dance Workshop last May 21 to 25, 2018 at Evelio B. Javier Memorial Center (EBJ Stadium), Binirayan Hills, Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), also in partnership with the Provincial Government of Antique, the Municipal Government of San Jose de Buenavista, the DepED Division of Antique, the Antique Provincial Tourism Office, Advance Central College, and the PFDS Antique Local Chapter.
PFDS recommended the following to join in international festivals: (1) MELENGAS DANCE ENSEMBLE of Zamboanga del Sur National High School from Pagadian City to 2018 Korat International Arts and Culture Festival last February 1 to 5, 2018, MANSCI DANCE COMPANY of Mandaue City, Cebu to the 2017 Pangkor Island Festival, Pulau Pang Pangkor, Perak, Malaysia last November 25 to December 2, 2017, & MR. RUDY REVECHE to a Mask Festival on May 21 to 28, 2018 to be held in Korea The PFDS Officers and Board Members went on Cultural Tour and Benchmarking during the 3rd Board meeting in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam last March 7 to 11, 2018.
2019
PFDS in partnership with CCP presented the 2nd INDAK PILIPINAS: Folkloric Dance Festival last March 1 to 3, 2019 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center of the Philippines that featured Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Philippine Barangay Folk Dance Group, Kaloob Philippine Music & Dance Ministry, Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild, Kahayag Dance Company from Dumaguete City, Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe from Koronadal City, CEU Folk Dance Troupe, UE Silanganan Dance Troupe, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, RTU Dance Troupe, PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, UP Filipiniana Dance Group, BulSU Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Philippine Cultural Dance Troupe (Japan), Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble (USA)
PFDS celebrated its 70th Founding Anniversary with a theme “ 70 Years and Beyond:, Preserving and Promoting Philippine Folk Dance”
PFDS awarded Gawad Sayaw Diamante, a recognition to all lifetime members, other folk dance enthusiasts and institutions who have made major contributions to the preservation, documentation, and promotion of Philippine folkdances. Awarded last May 21, 2019, at Folk Arts Theater.
2020
The proposed plan of holding the NFDW 2020 in Bago City for the second time was put on hold due to the unprecedented rise of the global pandemic, the COVID-19 episode.
2021
The PFDS slowly regained its momentum when it shifted its approach to an online platform. The holding 40th NFDW and 3rd Indak Pilipinas Virtual editions were conducted last August 4 and 5, 2021, with around 1,189 online participants, showing strong support and belief in the Society’s advocacy in the promotion of culture and arts through dance in the midst of the pandemic.
2023
Finally, the long wait is over. We are finally back at Bago City for the holding of the 41st NFDW In full face-to-face edition.