Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc.

Sigma, Capiz

 

PROFILE

Organized in May 2000, as the resident theater of Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Inc. under its LAMIGAS (Youth Development) PROGRAM, DAGWAY SIGMAHANON, simply aims to empower children and young people of Sigma by helping them discover their innate talents and become productive citizens of the community through the dynamics of theater. The rudiment of artistic trainings does not only raise the level of artistic excellence of each of the members but made them know and understands themselves more fully. Theater urges them to be more attached to the world. The process has made them “totong tao”. Most of the young people who joined the program come from the marginalized sector. As a community theater, its foundational values are anchored 0on the philosophy that theater is not only for entertainment but also a tool for social transformation.

Under the artistic direction of Alphonsus D. Tesoro since its inception, Dagway Sigmahanon members were nurtured not only with artistic trainings but also by inculcating the basic life skills. Managed like a household the members are given specific tasks. Members do the marketing, cooking, dishwashing, preparation of props, and other assignments during the rehearsal phase and actual mounting of a production. Team building activities, spiritual and values formation are part of capacity building programs for DSI members aside from their attendance to various artistic workshops.

DSI’s engagement in advocacy has major effects in the community. It has elicited people’s participation in social concerns. It has intensified their sense of social responsiveness cooperation.

The group has performed in various performance venues in Luzon and Visayas which include the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Angelo King Center of Performing Arts, LA Salle Zobel, Ayala Alabang; Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila among others and participated in Regional, National and International arts events held in the country. To date DSI has mounted thirty two (32) artistic pieces with almost three hundred performances in the span eleven years of existence.

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS RECEIVED

      2000 GAWAD GALING POOK conferred by the Galing Pook Foundation AND THE Office of the President, Republic of the Philippines.

      2007 ALAB NG HARAYA AWARD conferred by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

      FINALIST, 2008-2010 ALIW AWARD BEST CULTURAL TROUPE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

VISION: A pro active community theater responsive to the call of the changing times.

MISSION: Advocate for the betterment of the society using performing arts as a tool rooted on the Cultural values of the community.

GOALS:

1.      To promote social consciousness and social transformation through the performing arts.

2.      To help develop creative and responsive individuals through the dynamics of theater.

3.      To develop and enhance artistic capabilities and organizational skills of children and youth towards sustained community engagement in partnership with Local Government Agencies and Civil Society Organizations.

4.      To establish linkages with cultural organization, School Based and Community Theater in theater arts promotions.