PH Gears Up for Upcoming Manila International Dance Festival

The office of Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto recently hosted a press conference to officially announced the upcoming 3-day Manila International Dance Festival (MIDFest 2023) events which will have an opening salvo on September 8 at the historic grounds of Rizal Park.

MIDFEst 2023 is a first in the City of Manila and is a collaborative project spearheaded by Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto himself as part of his office’s continuing efforts to promote the Filipino culture, arts and heritage and in line with the belief of sustaining peace and respect to diversity.

“It has always been my belief that the creative arts can take us to the better understanding of our differences and can forge unity to our goals. It’s empowering to all and especially to the treasures of our heritage.”
Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto

The festival will carry the overall theme: “Celebrating Diversity, Peace and Unity Through Dance and Music”

“It is our aim at MIDF or MIDFest 2023 to use the dance art form in the promotion of peace and unity among diverse communities while strengthening our resolve to continue propagating our cultural dances in our modern world,”
Archie Dema-ala, Festival Director

The Manila International Dance Festival will be participated by renowned 18 cultural dance groups from The Philippines with 5 other countries joining the festival and imparting their very own cultural heritage. The participating countries are: Indonesia, India, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.

MIDFEst 2023 will run for three (3) days and will be going on a performance art tour by showcasing these dance groups in the partner malls and universities in Manila with the main highlights to be staged at Rizal Park and Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

Festival Director Archie Dema-ala was surprised on the positive response of the participants when the call was echoed for the MIDFest 2023.

“I was so thrilled when unexpectedly local participants started to flock in to register their groups and as well to the participating countries by sending their own groups. This alone makes my heart full as it shows an unfolding of an ultimate dream to have an exchange of culture and heritage among locals and with our international counterparts, thus reminding everyone to always treasure our traditions and culture.”
Archie Dema-ala, Festival Director

It is in the festival’s aim in its inaugural to focus in the City of Manila being the seat of power where Malacañan Palace is located and as well as Intramuros, a walled city during colonial times in the heart of the Old Manila and the Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and former military prison.

The Manila International Dance Festival 2023 is in partnership with the utmost support of the Department of Tourism, National Parks Development Committee, Concert at the Park, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila , Senator Loren Legarda, Hotel Sogo, Lyf Hotel, Archiestic Events Production and VERDE Creatives.

For partnership and sponsorship please email us at [email protected] or contact Ms. Bemz Benedito or Mr. Liam Herrera, MRO, MIDF 2023 at +63.917.998.4584, +63.956.750.3577