MANILA, Philippines – Once again, the Shirley Halili-Cruz Dance Company, recently named the Aliw Awardee for the Best Classical Dance Company in the Philippines three years in a row, has been invited to represent the Philippines in the 21st Century International Arts and Dance Festival and Competition, which will culminate Friday, Nov. 26, in Genting Highlands, Malaysia. After successfully collaborating with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the implementation of the performance component of the “Dayaw Festival: The Philippine Indigenous Peoples Festival,” the company had been very busy attending to other commitments while preparing for their participation in the said competition.

The 21st Century International Arts and Dance Festival is an international festival for young dancers. It brings together about 900 of the finest young dancers from around the world to exchange ideas and share their love of dance – on and off the stage. Each year the 21st Century International Arts and Dance Festival selects one dance group from different countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and America to participate in the competition, the goal of which is to inspire young dancers and teachers to fulfill their artistic dream and desires through education and performance.

The Philippine delegation is composed of the following: Artistic Director Shirley Halili Cruz, with teachers Grace Garalde-Perez, Anna Lissa Tuazon-Balmadrid, Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz and dancers Nordic Caraig, Julia Camille Mazo, Ma. Regina Magbitang, Aira Louise Rostrata, Lindsay Lopez, Heather Nicole Orteza, Lian Jane Guerrero, Ma. Gloria Salapantan, Ma. Winnalee Young, Meryl Jacqueline Chua, Nicole Paredes, Maxine Roque, Camille Asi, Cassey Antoinette Ruiz, Jillian Feliciano, Ella Louise Francia, Kimberly Anna Therese Davies, Gabrielle Paras, Erika Faye Rapinan, Maria Andrea Tagaban, Margarita Isabelle Garcia, Gabrielle Romina Garcia, Veronica Mendoza, Selina Ma. Victoria Noel, Andrea Leigh Samson, Barrios Julianne Renee, Venice Renee Manuel, Ma. Celina Ysabel Maristela, Kyla Yasmeen Ong, Leila Madeline Caro, Tisha Alyssa Caro, Katherine Ann Fernandez, Floriane Clairemarie Jara, Marielle Anne Sidro, Keana Jane Simon and Kirsten Louise Velasco.

The competition in Genting Highlands, Malaysia is just one of the many lined up international travels of the school.

It is such a privileged and growing opportunity to be part of the Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet family, according to its students. The school offers fun and productive activities that will make young girls and boys excellent dancers and cultured persons.

The driving force behind the successes of the school is of course, Ms. Halili-Cruz who also heads the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Ms. Halili-Cruz organize national and international events for the Philippine dance community, among them the “Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival” and the “Philippine Indigenous Peoples Festival.”

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Sitti's concert benefits foundation

Sitti’s pre-birthday concert on Nov. 27 at the Metrobar will benefit the Silid Aralan Foundation which, with the new technology it uses makes education or schooling real fun. The country’s one and only Bossa Nova Queen said many students have improved under their technique. She learned of the Foundation’s existence through some friends and she has joined them in this advocacy. It was established three years ago in Montalban, Rizal.

In her pre-birthday concert, Sitti will have guests Erik Santos and Aljur Abrenica. Tickets are available at Backroom, Inc., Sitti’s management outfit.

It was Sitti who successfully reintroduced bossa nova to the local music scene as an alternative to pop rock.

As to why she chose bossa nova over other music genres, Sitti said “on my third year as a lounge singer, people would comment that my voice would be best suited to this genre.”

Her musical influences include singing legends Ella Fitzgerald (“she’s just amazing!”) Sarah Vaughnl (for her jazz), Astrud Gilberto and Gal Costa (for their bossa nova).

She has so far released, under Warner Records, four bossa nova albums. Her fifth is expected to be released next year.
Sitti also composes and one of her compositions was used in her “My Bossa Nova” album.

Also a TV performer, Sitti is part of ASAP Sessionistas and had been a guest judge in “Showtime.”

Sitti is a sought-after artist in corporate and wedding events, out-of-town gigs and shows abroad. Every Wednesday, she sings at Martini’s Bar at Mandarin Hotel and every Tuesday at Café Lupe in Sumulong Hi-Way in Antipolo City.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Friday, Nov. 26, go to Tonyboy Cojuangco, Ms. Everlyn Alvaran-Cruz, Randy Santiago, Timmy Cruz, Frederick Peralta, Mrs. Josephine Cojuangco-Reyes, Mitos Araneta, Edmundo M. Reyes, Monette de Villa, Victorio “VV” Soliven, US-based Jun Banaria, Gabriel Munson, Jr., and Nita Tilentino, Aimee Singson, Jacqui M. Aquino, Edmundo Bayota, Babidi Rubio, Wilfredo Jose, Nena del Rosario, Atty. Emma M. Rosqueta, Gail Goodrich P. Garcia, Anthony Vijungco, MB’s Jet Nuesca Martin, Elbuen M. Salinas, Raquel Hizon, Jonas Valdecanas, Camille Silayan, Norvina Flores, Joross Gamboa and Sheryn Regis of Star Magic…