Dance, a metaphor of life never fails to touch the heart as it echoes our varied emotions of love, gaiety, sadness and anger.  Sinuous movement, rhythmic beat, graceful swirls and daring leaps create from bone, muscle and soul an eloquent art form.  At once earthy and sublime, robust and fragile, dance reflects what we are - a microcosm of our culture, folklore and passions, then and now.

The Ka-anyag Pilipinas Dance Company, the Folk Dance Company of West Negros College is true to its name, the local term for beauty.  From a fledgling group started in 1975 by the late Negrense philanthropist and educator Jose Gonzaga, it has flourished under the dedicated tutelage of the best dancers and mentors like Girlie Belzunce and Elsie Enriquez both from the internationally renowned Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company and Jose Magbanua from the equally respected Kayumanggi Dance Troupe.  The late Jess Aiko, a famous artist who served as Ka-anyag's Artistic Director and Costume Designer left a legacy of exquisitely lovely costumes that are treasured by themselves.  At the helm of Ka-anyag for almost 20 years, Ismael Java, artist in residence and choreographer continues to hone and train native talent through dances that speak of our true nature as a people - full of grit, warmth, good humor and indomitable spirit.  Needless to say it has won accolades locally and abroad, besting 35 countries and tying with the Bolshoi Ballet of Russia, a revered institution in the dance world for the gold medal during the International Festival of Port Island Exposition held in Japan in 1981.  With the full support of West Negros College President Suzette Agustin, Ka-anyag emerged as a consistent top winner in various regional and national competitions, performed for cultural roadshows and outreach programs, impressed visiting dignitaries and was cited as "Best in Negros" by the Association of Negros Producers for preserving Filipino identity through dance and music.  More recently, Ka-anyag proudly performed at the Barrio Fiesta 2005 celebration in Darwin Australia and the 2005 Sea Games held in Bacolod, its home city.  Today with its varied repertoire of courtship, celebration, and thanksgiving dances set against the rustic background of rural Philippines, Ka-anyag has gained prominence as the primemover of our culture -- fulfilling its promise as the company to watch during its debut year.

The Ka-anyag's musical counterpart, the WNC Rondalla coached by Rondalla Master Jegger C. Anhao and assisted by Dex II D. Villarosa provides expressive and invigorating music, oftentimes causing the unwary observer to sway and tap their feet to rhythm.  Far from merely providing background music, the Rondalla has emerged with its own unique identity.  Under the consultancy of Girlie Belzunce the Rondalla won as "Best in Concert" during the 5^th Philippine Folk Festival held in 1982 at the Folk Arts Theater.  The WNC Rondalla was delegate to the 1^st International Rondalla Festival in 2004 and has even released a music cassette of Visayan Folk Dances entitled "Kasadyahan". 

Surprisingly, most of the 50 dancers and Rondalla scholars were not formally trained either in dance or music.  Their innate talent flourished at the Center for Arts and culture of West Negros College - an institution that supports cultural development and provides scholarships to poor but deserving students.  With Ismael "Maeng" E. Java at the helm, this talented troupe will surely have more visions to fulfill, horizons to conquer and hearts to endear with performances that bring a smile of delight to every beholder whatever state, status or color.