MSEUF Catanauan hosts 'Sayaw Kalilayan' for troupe’s 30th year
Music, dance, and cultural pride filled Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation – Catanauan on Sept. 13–14, as the campus hosted Sayaw Kalilayan, a two-day seminar-workshop celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kalilayan Folkloric Dance Troupe.
Vice President for External Relations Celso Jaballa welcomed more than 400 student performers and guests on behalf of Chairman Wilfrido Lopez Enverga and President Naila Enverga-Leveriza, with Executive Vice President Benilda Villenas joining in the message of support.
“The Kalilayan troupe’s three decades of service stand as a source of pride for our school and community,” Jaballa said, thanking partners who helped make the program possible.
Founder choreographer Rommel Serrano, who chaired the event, led lectures and practical workshops that combined cultural interpretation with performance training. Local dances such as Abaruray de Catanauan, Malagueña de Catanauan, and Tubong de Catanauan were performed alongside scholarly talks on costumes, research, and choreography.
Leaders from the Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle and the Philippine Folk Dance Society emphasized the value of cultural transmission. “Appreciation should lead to active practice, teaching, and leadership,” said Rotary Youth Service Chair Mark Anthony Ochoa.
The event drew participants from Region IV-A, Region V, and the National Capital Region, supported by MSEUF Catanauan under Principal Marian Cadiz. Organizers closed the workshop by honoring Kalilayan’s 30-year journey of preserving Catanauan’s cultural heritage and building networks that sustain folk traditions.
This celebration reflects MSEUF’s mission to nurture student-centered learning and transformative education by valuing cultural identity and community engagement. The university’s core values of Service, Unity, and Fortitude were embodied in the collective effort to preserve and teach local traditions. By strengthening cultural pride, the program advanced outcomes-oriented education that blends heritage with practice.
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
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SDG 4: Quality Education – The workshops promoted experiential learning and cultural literacy through direct participation in folk dance.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The event safeguarded intangible cultural heritage, ensuring traditions remain alive for future generations.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborations with civic and cultural groups highlighted shared responsibility in preserving culture.
