Bereber Sayaw PD brings hope and joy to Parkinson’s Disease patients through dance therapy

Studies have shown that 1 patient in the Philippines is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) every six seconds. In 2016 alone, there were at least 120,000 documented Parkinson’s Disease cases in the country, most of which were undiagnosed due to lack of knowledge and awareness about the disease with very little information disseminated to the public. Likewise, early onset cases of around 40 to 45 years old are becoming prevalent, when the typical onset of the disease is from 65 years old. By the time patients see a doctor, their case would have already been at mid-level severity.

To raise awareness and combat this life-threatening disease, Bereber Sayaw PD, an organization that’s a first of its kind in the country that aims to uplift individuals affected by Parkinson’s Disease, has introduced a therapy-based dance program to help bring joy and hope to patients afflicted with the disease.

Bereber Sayaw PD was founded in 2019 by Novy Bereber, a Filipino-Australian choreographer, director, performer, and Pilates Instructor who became known as the leading Filipino choreographer of his generation, and the only one who has created works for all the major dance companies in the country including Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, and the Philippine Ballet Theater.

His love for dancing and teaching led him to a greater purpose when, one fateful day, he spotted a job advertisement for a Parkinson’s teacher for dance. Having no idea what Parkinson’s was, he took workshops in Australia as well as additional classes in New York. This then led to the creation of Bereber Sayaw PD – a unique art-based supportive care that was born with two intents in mind: dance for dancing’s sake is an enjoyable social setting, as well as accompany individuals with Parkinson’s Disease through body movements in dance classes that are based on a set of principles, approaches, and concepts found to be particularly beneficial for their condition.

The chair-based dance movements consist of exercises that target the spine, upper limbs and hands while providing a stable, safe base to engage the lower extremities. These movements are effective means to stimulate 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,” shared Novy, founder and director of Bereber Sayaw PD.

The launch of Bereber Sayaw PD at Manila Marriott Hotel highlights the launch of the advocacy campaign created by its partner creative agency and advocacy supporter Brand Worx, led by their President, Nikky Nicandro.

“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,” he expressed.

Bereber Sayaw PD hopes to be a nationally-recognized foundation with a vision to help the underserved Parkinson’s Disease community in the Philippines and in Asia through supportive care. The organization also aims to enable communities in the country and abroad to thrive through dance — by connecting the Parkinson’s Disease Care Ecosystem of Patients-Carers-Benefactors-Medical Community-LGUs.

Bereber Sayaw PD’s vision is slowly coming to fruition thanks to the support of key advocacy supporters including Manila Marriott Hotel, Tere Filipinia, composer and lyricist of Bereber Sayaw PD song Toy Angsico, and Iloilo Bereber Dance Theater Company.