festivals

Well, I think those street dancers were just choreographed based on the stereotypes from indigenous people. They don't even mean anything anymore. Most of our cultural dances have some meanings behind them but since schools just force kids to do them they don't really understand why they are doing those dance movements. I mean the dances should be a natural thing and not a taught in school activity. Cultural activities in school is a bad thing because it doesn't really preserve anything because it just makes the kids think that its a school activity and not a cultural preservation act. That is my opinion.

I am living in Davao and this week the city is celebrating the "Kadayawan Festival" this is one of the most anticipated festivals in the Philippines, lots of tourists are visiting the city. There's the usual street dancing depicting local tribes and its cultures. I don't think they are exploited because the committee incharge of the said event is trying hard to make it decent and informative and not only exploiting the native people. It is even more educational as people learn lots of things about the essence of their culture and tradition.

I like watching traditional dances performed by our fellowmen. I don't think this is exploitation. It only becomes a sort of exploitation if someone gains from such festival. If it is purely for cultural presentation, then there is nothing wrong with it.

nope, we are just remembering our own tradition, specially those things we almost forget. Filipinos are rich in traditions, festivals, and natives. Festival is one way of commemorating our own traditions, I mean local traditions. here in Pampanga, we have a unique way of celebrating our Holy Weeks that we attract tourist and other people.

I think they are not exploited as long as they themselves are interested in preserving the culture. As long as they are not used to gain unjust profit without having to give them the major share, these festivals are significant since we have to preserve our culture to show other country's about the real Filipino history and traditions. Nowadays, Filipinos are known as servants and I'm not happy about that. It's true Filipinos are hospitable and courteous but we are not the kind that others could just order around. Through festivals we can show other sides of the Filipinos than just being hospitable. We are colorful, creative, fun and we have a variety of traditions from different regions of the country.

Its No.. because this is the way to preserve the culture and being proud for what we have.. and its an event to tell or to teach the young peoples that these are the cultural traditions and to learn something about them..

its a big NO..i think we are not exploiting them were just preserving our culture..i always joined street dancing way back high school..it is knowing the different tribes and the dances that they value...its good to be proud of the different tribes we have here in the philippines because even foreigners are dancing...