PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company

On September 7, 1969, during a salute to San Diego’s 200th Anniversary by the Filipino-American Community Association of San Diego County, with Delfin Labao as president, San Diego witnessed the birth of this performing arts group in the first Philippine Cultural Extravaganza held at the Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park. Paz Marquez Uro and Dr. Bill Yumul choreographed and instructed fifty Filipino-American youths in Philippine dance for this three-hour tribute. The enthusiasm from this performance was tremendous, as was the response to continue Philippine folk dancing. On November, 1970, PASACAT became the first formally organized Philippine Dance Company in San Diego. THE COMPANY There are three major performing components: Senior Company Junior Dancers Rondalla/Percussion Instrumentalists Under the artistic direction of George Ragaza, from 1985 to 1989, the Senior Company presentations were enhanced tremendously by his expertise in Philippine dance technique and styles, costuming and ethnic music. Joji Ramirez Castro, former member of the world famous Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, joined PASACAT’s artistic staff in 1986 and has guided the development of the energetic and eager Junior PASACAT Dancers. Since 1990, she has taken the position of PASACAT Choreographer/Dance Director lending her expertise in authentic Philippine dance.