모이자 CPI

01. Could you introduce yourself?

Mabuhay!(Moija!) I am Raul "Buboy" Raquitico Jr., an independent contemporary dance artist from Rizal, Philippines and also a current member of Daloy, a local contemporary dance company founded by Ea Torrado.
The intersection of my community development background and contemporary dance practice has continuously motivated my artistic and collaborative processes. Learning about the CPI program a few months ago is quite an opportunity time. It’s aim to equip its participants with the necessary skills in utilizing art to respond to social issues appealed to me, even more so relevant in these challenging times.

02. What do you expect to achieve by participating in CPI program?

Considering the rich educational content and the recent exchanges with facilitators, I am quite optimistic that the program will be able to nurture me and help me acquire relevant theoretical handles and practical tools to improve not just my artistic processes but also to expand my horizons on how art/dance can be diversified to engage and represent local and diverse communities.

03. You've started to participate in this program. Could you please explain the online program that you are participating in?

I’m currently part of the 2020 Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI) Program, hosted by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), in partnership with the Seoul Section of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO and its local counterpart in the Philippines, Myra Beltran’s Dance Forum.
I am currently part of the program's Modern Performance track, together with eleven other Filipino contemporary dance practitioners and art managers. The program spans eight weeks (November-December 2020).
The activities entail balance between agency and discipline from the end of the participants since they are entirely carried out online. The program utilizes recorded classes rendered in video format; scheduled webinars where participants can have more in-depth interaction with featured facilitators; evaluation tools in the form of short quizzes and essays; and classroom management via Google Classroom.
What I am particularly interested in is how we're trained to devise action plans which indeed is an indispensable asset as we transform our future ideas into potential solutions that will benefit communities.

04. How do you think of the program so far?

Participating in the program is both a privilege and a responsibility. As a contemporary dance artist who has mostly gained knowledge and experience from my interactions in the local and international contemporary dance community versus being trained in a formal institution, the CPI Program is quite a rare opportunity to have access to good quality education and at the same time, be acquainted with a different culture.
I love the balance and flexibility of scheduling the classes but it’s also important to stress accountability in accomplishing tasks. It can be a real challenge to observe self-discipline and ensure effective time management since participants have a hold on how they pace their duties.
Although I miss a space wherein I could have real-time and spontaneous conversations with fellow participants during a discussion, perhaps in the future they could be translated and recreated as well into the online learning environment. Doing so might strengthen further the connection between participants through sharing and surfacing local stories, process learnings collectively, and reflect how knowledge from other cultures relate to the local context.
Nevertheless, I’m trying to soak in as much as possible from the online interface. I’ve been enjoying my virtual journey so far!

05. This year, it's hard to visit to Korea due to the current situation. If you have an opportunity to visit Korea, what would you do as a dancer?

Given an opportunity to visit Korea once again, it would be an honor to join a platform where I could showcase my work, collaborate and have an exchange with Korean contemporary dance practitioners, and appreciate the thriving contemporary dance scene in Korea.
The CPI program has exposed me a lot to a variety of Korean contemporary dance productions and community dance initiatives online. Witnessing these practices firsthand in their physical environment will definitely make the program’s learning experience come full circle.

06. What is your future plan after the conclusion of CPI program?

Nothing too specific for now but what I'm certain is to keep on learning and sustaining the momentum of creating and pursuing art even in hostility.
However, I’d give myself ample time first to retrospect and process all the new knowledge and experiences I’ve gained from the CPI program, including the rest of the learning opportunities I’ve poured my energy into while being in confinement, for what a year it has been!
I’m keeping my hopes high that next year would be much kinder and that artists could finally leave the comforts of their homes to be in touch with a much wider and tactile community (hopefully!) to share their art.
If not, the artist lives on and keeps on creating regardless of any boundaries.

Raul (Buboy) Lorenzo Raquitico Jr. (Philippines)

Buboy is an independent contemporary dance artist/choreographer and member of Daloy Dance Company.
He is receiving CPI program at International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO)