FOCUS: Filipino Folk Dance Troupe Uplifts Japan, Fosters Bilateral Ties

By Yuka Moriyama Tokyo, June 10 (Jiji Press)–As Japan and the Philippines prepare to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations next month, a Tokyo-based Filipino folk dance troupe is uplifting Japanese audiences and bringing the two nations closer through the power of dance. Inrayog Philippines traces its roots to hospitals and care facilities in eastern Japan, where female Filipino staff began offering patients and residents free traditional dance performances. What started as informal activities evolved into its present form in February 2010, when Susan Bernal, 60, a former goodwill ambassador to Japan for the Philippine Department of Tourism, decided to form a group. Having developed an affection for Japan during her tenure, she later moved to the country and now works as an assistant nurse in Tokyo. Bernal, the troupe’s leader and choreographer, said performing at hospitals and nursing homes has apparently had a positive emotional impact on audiences. The dances are “really enjoyed and appreciated,” she said, recalling the faces of her patients and residents brightening during the troupe’s performances. Some audience members have even come to see the group’s shows elsewhere. “I want Japanese audiences to feel the vibe and cheerfulness of the Philippines through our dance,” said Bernal’s husband, Ryoichi Suzuki, 58, also a member of the group. In addition to appearing at cultural and international events across the Kanto region including Tokyo, the troupe continues to perform at members’ workplaces, including hospitals and nursing homes, with the goal of promoting Philippine heritage and strengthening ties between Japanese and Filipino people. To sustain the group’s volunteer spirit, Bernal offers free dance lessons at a community hall in Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward on Sundays. Their latest appearance was at the Philippine Expo 2026, held at Ueno Park in Tokyo’s Taito Ward from Friday through Sunday. The troupe presented seven types of folk dances, including “tinikling,” in which performers rhythmically hop between two bamboo poles, inspired by the movements of “tikling” birds. The performance reflected the troupe’s name, “Inrayog,” a Tagalog word meaning “movement with rhythm,” according to Bernal. The stage was surrounded by many Filipino and Japanese spectators, who clapped and cheered together. The initial members of Inrayog Philippines included Bernal, her husband, their three children, and close friends. Today, it has grown into a team of 29 members. Seven are Japanese, including one of Bernal’s patients. Looking ahead, Bernal said her biggest dream is to bring her group to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, a government corporation to promote Filipino arts and culture. She hopes to attract more members in the future to help achieve this goal. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]