Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, DOT Director Rene Delos Santos and DTI Special Representative Maria Roseni Alvero hosted a dinner for board members and directors of World Arts West and other patrons of the arts at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center. World Arts West is the organization behind the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival which is held annually at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The activity features dances and dancers from all corners of the globe including the Philippines.

            The 29th edition of the event will feature the Filipino-American group the Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble which will perform during the opening weekend of the event on June 9, 2007. During the dinner hosted by Consul General Sanchez, Special Trade Representative Roseni Alvero, and Tourism Director Rene de los Santos the guests were treated to a sumptuous Filipino buffet, music from the Tradicion Rondalla, as well as a dance performance from the Kaisahan Dance Troupe of San Jose.

            During the evening’s festivities Consul General Sanchez presented a Certificate of Recognition to master musician and ethnomusicologist Danongan Kalanduyan who has single handedly kept the art form of the Kulintang alive and strong here in the United States. Mr. Kalanduyan will be receiving a lifetime achievement award for his work on behalf of the arts from World Arts West on the opening night of the gala on June 9, 2007.

            Consul General Sanchez said “The city of San Francisco is said to be one of the most culturally advanced cities in the world, where east truly meets west. The ethnic dance festival is living proof of this.”

            “World Arts West has provided the venue for us to gather and share with one another the beauty of our cultures and that is the Ethnic Dance Festival,” she added.