With a mission to create awareness about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and uplift patients affected by it, Bereber Sayaw PD, a first-of-its-kind organization in the Philippines recently launched a therapy-based dance program.
Novy Bereber, a Filipino-Australian choreographer, director, performer, and Pilates instructor founded Bereber Sayaw PD in 2019.
Bereber, who also worked with major dance companies in the Philippines including Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, and the Philippine Ballet Theater, took workshops in Australia and additional classes in New York so he could properly lead his organization that provides art-based supportive care for PD patients.
At Bereber Sayaw PD, dancing is maximized as an enjoyable social activity and as means for PD patients to alleviate their condition through body movements based on a set of principles, approaches, and concepts.
These include chair-based dance movements with exercises that target the spine, upper limbs and hands while providing a stable, safe base to engage the lower extremities.
These help in stimulating the participant’s creativity, imagination, cognitive skills, and emotions through movements.
“It’s time to break the misconception that there is nothing much we can do once an individual is affected by Parkinson’s. Through dance, we can help these individuals turn their lives around, finding joy and hope in staying active, expressing themselves or reaching their full potential no matter their age or circumstance,” said Berber.
Bereber Sayaw PD targets to be a nationally-recognized foundation as it pushes its commitment to help underserved PD communities in the Philippines and in Asia.
In its advocacy, Bereber Sayaw PD partnered with creative agency Brand Worx.
“Our campaign conviction – Parkinson’s disease may diminish mobility but not the human spirit. Together, we can foster an environment where everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of dance,” said Brand Worx president Nikky Nicandro.
Its other advocacy partners include Manila Marriott Hotel, Tere Filipinia, composer and lyricist of Bereber Sayaw PD song Toy Angsico, and Iloilo Bereber Dance Theater Company.
For more details, visit www.berebersayawpd.com.
