BIÑAN YOUTH PERFORMANCE COUNCIL (YPC) HISTORY
by Angelique Magno
From a simple request of young teenagers for choreography to Saturday workshops, it is through these events that BJ Borja discerned it as God’s request to go back after a lull in his involvement in their Church and community. He also felt the need to be more involved in the lives of these young potentials by building a Church group
that focuses on the arts. A first of its kind, he believes that it is indeed the perfect timing to share his knowledge and introduce arts as a powerful educational tool in honing the youth in defining their identities, preserving cultural practices, and realizing their social and moral responsibilities as Filipinos. Father Frederick Yapana, former parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Parish, to build this group that paved the way for the birth of Youth Performance Council (YPC) launched on August 7, 2005 at the said parish. The group has encountered problems like budgetary constraints and criticisms. But with the determination of its dedicated members, the overwhelming support of those who shares with the vision and mission of YPC, and God’s guidance the group was able to successfully surpass these predicaments. Since then, YPC in its aim to bring the youth closer to God and to the wonders of culture and arts have launched experimental performances like "Kariton", "Mga Kwentong Buhay sa Harap ng Telon 1", "D’ Istori of Krismas", "Reality", "7 Last Words Project", "Takas/Cleopatra" (in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts), "Sampung Tulisan", "Mga Kwentong Buhay sa Harap ng Telon 2", original play for Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary "Si Rizal at Ako" and the NCCA-funded original play for Teodora Alonso's death centenary "Ang Kasaysayan ni Teodora: Isang Ina" that were all very successful. It has also gained the support of prominent people who have been very generous and supportive to help the group in all its activities. They were also very proud of what the group has accomplished in lessening the number of juvenile offenders by the alternative activities the YPC has fruitfully introduced. For years, YPC became quiet in producing shows due to challenges in providing training space for rehearsals and prioritization issues among its members, until it found its new home – the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan. In 2016, Bj Borja became the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer of the City Government of Biñan. With his heart in promoting arts and culture, he relaunched YPC as one of the performing arts groups in the roster of Biñan City Center for Performing Arts, Inc. YPC continues to create productions such as “Mga Kwentong Buhay sa Harap ng Telon 3 to 9”, “Palanca in my Mind”, Interactive Theatre Halloween Productions such as: “Doon sa Unang Paaralan”, “Ang Lihim ng KaHapon”, “Ka Stella”, “Nasan Ka ‘Tay” and “D Carnival Queen”, NCCA-funded original play PAMANA: The Philippine History in Movement “Binyang the Musical, and online productions due to the effect of pandemic in 2021. Being the official theatre group in the City of Biñan, YPC also organized DULAMBAYAN: Dulaan ng Bayan, Biñan Theatre Arts Festival which was started in 2018 and served as the training space and theatre exposure opportunities for the youth. The festival aims to expose, nurture and realize more local talents and groups as we work towards the enhancement of our artistic and cultural consciousness. At present, YPC enjoys partnership opportunities from Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Kaisa sa Sining, Cultural Exchange Programs. Some of it were the apprenticeship programs and series of cultural exchanges highlighting the performing arts featuring prominent groups of the region. The Biñan Youth Performance Council is persistent in giving another avenue for young people to discover themselves, express their thoughts, enhance cultural consciousness, increase awareness with the realities of the world, and more importantly strengthen their relationships with God. And in its goal to cater to more youth to theatre arts and cultural scene, YPC has expanded its horizon as the official theatre group of the City of Biñan - still with the same mission, ready to surpass expectations, and very much willing to propagate its great cause.
