Art as an intent: Connecting dance with cultural identity

Noel Garrovillo never thought of himself as an artist. He took up a degree in education to become a teacher. But the opportunities that came to his life led him to become an artist and an advocate for culture and the arts.

“I considered myself as a frustrated singer – a ‘trying hard’ to become one. I am aware that I have talent in dancing. That is why I did not join a dance group. Instead I auditioned for a choir group at our university,” Garrovillo recalled.

Fortunately, he was accepted to be part of Tambuli Singers, a choir group at Notre Dame of Marbel University, based in Koronadal City. They had a choreographer who taught them basic choreography for their choir performances. Garrovillo had an advantage since he can dance and easily remembers the steps that their choreographer showed them. In short, he acted as substitute choreographer when their instructor was not around.

The university saw a potential in Garrovillo and decided to send him as their scholar to Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to enroll in a ballet class in the summer of 1989.

“The university enrolled me in Ballet Philippines. That time I had no knowledge of ballet. That summer class taught me formal study of ballet. I maximize my stay in Manila to really learn everything about dance. I watched shows on CCP. I absorbed everything that I could learn,” he said.

Garrovillo felt that his experience in the Ballet Philippines was not enough. He wanted to learn more and exposed himself to different arts. That is why he went back for another summer to enroll 18 units in Dramatic Arts at the Philippine Normal University and immersed himself in Tanghalang Pilipino for advanced courses in stage acting and directing. 

“I define art as an intention. No matter what you do it still boils down to your intention as an artist. You need to find yourselves. Before you make an art, your intention must be clear. It will define what you will do. You need to know yourself to truly show your artistic expression,” he said.

Garrovillo never forgets his hometown – Koronadal City. After his dance exposure in Manila, he went back and conducted a series of dance workshops as a way of sharing his knowledge on