In two-and-a-half months in Europe, IPAG wove its theater charm to much adulation and once more drew the positive image of Mindanao and the country.

Also in the Paris audience was Philippine Ambassador Hector Villaroel.

IPAG was featured artist in the Philippine National Day celebration in an occasion that filled the grand ballroom of Hotel de Paris.

This rich municipality’s creme, the diplomatic corps, members of the Filipino community, and Monaco’s heir apparent Prince Albert attended the event.

IPAG journeyed to Europe from July to the second week of September, its 4th outing to the continent. It represented the Philippines through over 50 performances in various dance and music festivals.
 

The company traveled the breadth of France making short stops in Belgium before culminating its tour in the 35th Mediterranean International Festival in Murcia, Spain, and a full-length performance in Madrid.

IPAG won first place in the song competition and was the most awarded group of the 13th International Folkloric Festival in Port Sur Saone, France, a festival participated in by 11 other nations including the national companies of Paraguay, Surinam, and Chechnya.
 

A company of only 16 artists, the IPAG wove folk drama with dance and music that impressed the press and fascinated the audience.
 

Indigenous, Hispanic and Islamic cultures are the sources of the dance-stories it created through a collective effort. Its materials are based on the experiences and research of its performers, collaborating artists, and informants, all of whom are Mindanaoans.
 

The singkil interpretation of IPAG is adapted from the chapter of the abduction of Lawanen in the darangen which — unlike the usual presentation where characters and the piece assume regal qualities — project human frailties and the conflicts in passionate relationships.
 

The Europe tour celebrates IPAG’s silver anniversary and is part of its 2002 world tours.
 

IPAG, based in Iligan City, is the resident cultural company of the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology that has provided the facilities and support for its cultural programs.
 

The delegation is composed of 16th artists led by IPAG founder and artistic director Steven P.C. Fernandez. Members of the cultural mission are: Stanley Perry Fernandez (tour manager), Joey Nombres (technical director), and artists Arlem Abanes (stage manager), Nolly Ceballos (choreographer), Melvin Pascubillo, Reynan Revillas, Julius Hechanova, Dexter Jumalon, Leilani Monterola, Eleanor Lila, Lilybeth Maraon, Wenna Balaido, Lara Maglinao, Jenelyn Morales, and Ronald Salazar.