\u201cDance uses familiar movements to connect with God, engage community and express thanksgiving while expressing our cultural practices, especially in celebration occasions,\u201d says Marcial Arenos from Binuangan Mennonite Christian Church, North Luzon District, Integrated Mennonite Church in the Philippines. \u201cIt\u2019s an embodied expression of worship that involves collective participation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program of Renewal<\/a> 2026 in the Philippines was punctuated with cultural dances from several IMC church districts with distinct cultural backgrounds. Performances from local dance groups from the districts is also a feature of regional and cultural gatherings of IMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dances feature traditional costumes (sewn by church members), symbolic gestures and repeated movements that tell a story. These features reflect the traditions and values of the communities, says Blessing Joy Turqueza, YABs<\/a> representative for Asia and one of the officers of the Philippine Mennonite Youth Fellowship of IMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUsing dance enhances worship and prayer or Scripture readings; we can speak in our language, our traditions and our culture,\u201d says Marcial Arenos. It\u2019s also a mode of community outreach where the preservation of culture and dialect through dance creates bonds with Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese traditional dances symbolize unity and celebration for us in the Philippines. The Bible says also that everything shall confess Jesus and every tribe will celebrate the glory of God (Philippians 2:10-11). So that\u2019s why we celebrate God with our dancing,\u201d says Shammah Micah B. Abadier from Red Cross Village Mennonite Church, Central District, IMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPandanggo sa Ilaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n