Earthdance Global Peace Party on Sept. 21 is a day of shared humanity and cooperation, interpreted through meditation, music, dance and other self-awareness-raising activities.
Genuine nongovernment organizations and individuals will share their ideals of promoting peace at Arts in the City. The gist of Earthdance is the Global Link-up invocation and playing the Prayer for Peace music simultaneously in 500 locations in 80 countries.
Labor of love
Organizer and Earthdance Manila founder Rosanna Escudero says it’s a labor of love as everybody volunteered to share their thoughts and talents to spread positivity. The co-presenter is none other than the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
“I was attracted to Earthdance because it was driven by intention to bring people together,” Escudero says.
She adds that it was the fruit of her spiritual journey. Back in the ’90s, Escudero worked as a stockbroker with AIG International, then worked in advertising and public relations at DDB Philippines by day. At night, she was habitué in Euphoria and Malate bars.
Her life took a dramatic turn when her father died of cancer in 1999. While taking care of her mother, who was stricken with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Escudero was diagnosed with a polycystic ovary.
Going natural
“I was determined to find natural solutions. I started researching. Then I went on my own personal cleansing,” she recalls. Escudero and her mother consulted Dr. Tan Ci Shou, a specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine, who dispensed herbal remedies. She started researching on natural and alternative healing, energy medicine and plant-based nutrition.
The doctor gave Escudero’s mother two years to live. But through alternative healing and lifestyle change, the mother lived for another 13 years. Escudero also regained her health. Her experience in holistic health led her to discover spiritual paths and meditation. She evolved into a peace advocate and a holistic health practitioner. Her desire to learn more led her to study healing arts under an Inca teacher from the Quechua tribe in Peru.
With her corporate background, she does events consultancy and organizes festivals, advocacy projects and training programs that aim to promote wellness and values. An advocate for change, she helped establish an environmental endeavor, Earth Calls for Help. She led a research experimenting an advance technology that cleans up the polluted air in Metro Manila. Escudero also formed the Leonardo’s Art Community which provides art education to the underprivileged children and youths.
Event proper
The event will start with a worldwide synchronized prayer for peace with the Earthdance Manila and Generation Peace Youth Network. There will be interfaith prayers, peace tree installation and labyrinth and walking meditation. A highlight is the Pause Muna Peace Muna workshop which enjoins people to donate a minute of peace at least five times a day for a month.
Artists will make their contributions. Asha Anata Peri will be performing Balinese ritual dances to spread good vibrations and to create an atmosphere of peace. Ligaya Amilbangsa’s Alun Alun Pangalay Dance Circle will show the royal dance tradition from the South. Billy Bonnevie and Agnes Arellana will hold a smoke ritual and drum jam. A mini-concert will feature folk, world music, samba and reggae. The special guest artist is Chang from Malaysia who will render world music. The event will climax with DJ sets and a documentary on electronic dance music culture and spirituality.
There will be smaller workshops held simultaneously. The Brahma Kumaris will share methods on raja yoga meditation and Inner Peace, Inner Power. There will be classes on how to prepare malunggay, healing through crystals, mandala writing, herbology and dance. A green market will offer body organics, recycled arts and crafts, tribal wine and massage.
Half of the proceeds from the event will go to charity with this year’s beneficiary being the Philippine Children’s Medical Center’s health program for young cancer patients.
Earthdance is supported by Meister Philippines, San Miguel Corp., Happy Day Coffee and Generation Peace Network.
For details, contact 0918-9413388 or check out on Facebook Earthdance Manila.