During the Flag Raising Ceremony held on June 16, 2025, at the Nueva Vizcaya Peoples’ Stage, the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) introduced and recognized the Ari-Tau Folkloric Society (AFSI), the ‘lone community-based dance organization’ in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, based in the municipality of Aritao.
Founded in 2015, the organization ‘aims to promote local talent, locally and internationally’, while also focusing ‘on the research and documentation of the different indigenous peoples’ as regards their cultural dances and music within Nueva Vizcaya. The Ari-Tau Folkloric Society has since been recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with research grants in 2020, also producing at least four apprentice dancers in the CCP Kaisa sa Sining Program.
In recent years, the group has participated in national folkdance programs, most notably in the CCP’s Pasinaya Multi-Arts Festival in Tagum, Davao del Norte in 2024, the Rigodon Cultural Exchange Program with Likhang Sining Dance Company of Batangas City, and the North Luzon Travel Expo held in Baguio City, Baguio in 2023. The AFSI dancers showcased the rich culture of Nueva Vizcaya by performing the Gaddang Turayen and the Tuwali Pagaddut during these events.
The Ari-Tau Folkloric Society had recently presented their research on the ‘Bat-Bat’, a healing dance originating with the Iwak indigenous community of Kayapa in the 43rd National Folkdance Workshop – National Dance Research Forum, in Koronadal, South Cotabato, last June 1-7, 2025. The ‘Bat-Bat’ then became the first indigenous dance from Nueva Vizcaya to be recorded in the Philippine Sayaw Book of the Philippine Folkdance Society. The AFSI is now also registered as a local chapter of the Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Mga Katutubong Sayaw ng Pilipinas.
These endeavors have cemented them as the ‘most productive and active cultural association’ in Nueva Vizcaya. After their short performance on the Peoples’ Stage, the AFSI dancers and their founder and artistic director, Mr. Kendrick John C. Vila were rewarded with Certificates of Recognition and tokens from the Governor.
With Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito’s ardent support for the tourism potential and cultural variety of the province, organizations such as the Ari-Tau Folkloric Society will continue to thrive and preserve the rich heritage of the province of Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb
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