Isabela State University (ISU) formally opened the Regional Folkdance Workshop 2025 on October 29, 2025 at the ISU Amphitheater. The three-day workshop, which will run until October 31, is attended by educators, students, and cultural practitioners from across the Cagayan Valley Region for a series of hands-on sessions on traditional Philippine folk dances, concluding with a parade and cultural showcase.
The workshop, organized by faculty members of the Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) of the ISU Echague Campus, is a return service activity of the University’s dance experts who participated in the 2025 National Folk Dance Workshop and the PANUHID: A National Dance Research Forum. The activity aims to disseminate the knowledge and skills acquired from these national engagements to a wider audience in the region, strengthening the practice and teaching of folk dance in academic and community settings.
The activity focuses on teaching and interpreting selected traditional dances, including Bat-bat, Cariada ti Mannalon, Kabilaw, Mantuod, Pingga-Pingga, Panuyom, and Valse Zamboagueña. Participants will be trained in the accurate execution of steps and movements, as well as in understanding the historical, geographical, and cultural background of each dance.
Through the conduct of this regional workshop, ISU seeks to encourage cultural appreciation and promote the preservation of cultural heritage. It also aims to capacitate teachers, students, and community cultural workers to integrate folk dance instruction into the school curriculum and community programs. Core groups are expected to be organized after the workshop to assist in the dissemination and teaching of cultural dance practices in their respective institutions.
The initiative also supports the University’s mandate to advance cultural and educational development in the region. As a state university, ISU acknowledges its role in promoting cultural identity and heritage through programs that align with national and international goals. The activity corresponds with the objectives of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in strengthening cultural education. It also contributes to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
By holding the Regional Folkdance Workshop 2025, ISU continues to practice its commitment to cultural preservation and education. The workshop represents a continuing effort to ensure that Philippine folk dance remains an active part of learning and community life, increasing awareness of cultural heritage while promoting its continuity for future generations.
