Major Romeo Lopez Alip Magkapuso Dance Troupe of The Salvation Army Farmington Hills Corps, Michigan

By: Ryan Tejero

 

One of the most active Filipino American organizations in Michigan is the Magkapuso Dance Troupe. It was founded on February 23, 2014, with a mission to reach other cultures to foster friendship and promote understanding with diverse cultures. Its main goal is to reach to other Filipinos to increase cultural awareness and to become part of its growing intercultural fellowship. To accomplish this goal, Magkapuso Dance Troupe has committed to present perform in intercultural events of the different organizations in Michigan.

Since its inception, the group has performed in numerous intercultural events in different venues, such as the Wonderland Camp in Wisconsin, Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield, MI, Detroit Institute of Arts, Intercultural Exchange in Sterling Heights, MI, Laotian International Festival, Korean Dah Noh Festival, Southfield City Hall, Southfield, MI, Vietnamese Festival, University of Michigan, Filipino Valentines Ball at Marriott Hotel, Troy, MI and in various Salvation Army United gatherings.

Magkapuso Dance Troupe has been involved in community fundraising events. This includes the following: Valentines Ball of the Philippine American Cultural Center of Michigan, US4PG Fundraiser, Duchess Club of Detroit and other inter-cultural organizations fundraisers.

Currently heading the Magkapuso Dance Troupe is Major Romeo Lopez Alip. Major Alip was born in Manila, but lived in Makati City. He attended college at the Mapua Institute of Technology and National University. Prior to migration to the US, Major Alip worked as a staff of an architectural firm – GALHIA and Associates. Major Alip migrated to the US in 2011, along with his wife, Major Evelyn Velasco Alip. His wife is currently working as Food Coordinator and Associate Corps Officer of The Salvation Army. Together, they were blessed with two children: David Frederick V. Alip (B.S. Physical Therapy at Mary Johnston University), with wife Jane, both couple are residing in California with two children; and Kenneth Judley V. Alip (B.S. in Information Technology at AMA University), and currently an officer of The Salvation Army in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana.

He is presently connected with the Salvation Army as Eastern Michigan Divisional Coordinator of Intercultural Ministry. With The Salvation Army Philippines, he served as General Secretary ofLiberia West Africa Command 2006 to 2008, and as Property Secretary and Project Officer of The Salvation Army Indonesia 2008 to 2010.

As an active community leader, Major Alip is affiliated with Philippine American Community Center of Michigan as a volunteer ukulele teacher with his wife Evelyn. He has been actively involved, and a former President of the Kiwanis Cosmopolitan Detroit.

As an outstanding community leader, Major Alip has received various community awards and recognition, which include: Outstanding President of Kiwanis Club of Cosmopolitan Detroit in 2015; a Certificate of Recognition as Outstanding Board of Director for community service, and a Certificate of Recognition as Outstanding Volunteer for Paaralang Pilipino.

For support of and inquiries about the Magkapuso Dance Troupe, please email Major Alip at romy.alip@gmail.com.

Magkapuso Dance Troupe as a regular performer at The Salvation Army United gatherings.

Magkapuso Dance Troupe at the Annual Lutheran Church International Tea.