FAR Eastern University’s Center for the Arts director Martin Lopez was one of the jurors in the Asia Folk 2023 recently held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The folklore and handicraft festival held in the historic Sukhbaatar Square transported attendees to a realm of artistic expression reminiscent of a peaceful revolution that echoed EDSA 1 in the Philippines during the mid’80s.

Lopez said that he meticulously considered myriad elements from costumes that reflected cultural heritage to the infectious energy radiated by the participants in evaluating the performances.

“Soloists and ensembles, musicians and dancers, the young ones and the ‘young-once’ all competed against each other in several rounds in indoor and outdoor venues,” he said.

“I gave extra points to the enthusiasm and energy of the performers even if their pieces were meant to be challengingly slow and seemingly sad. Of course, the quality of the performance and the level of talent had to be spectacular,” he added.

“Armed with an unforgettable experience, Lopez envisions a future where the Philippines takes its place on the international stage, representing its rich cultural tapestry in similar festivals,” the school said.

Lopez thanked the organizers of the event, particularly the president of the Penang Arts Council Joe Sidek.