August 2012 is memorable as the month with two full moons and rains brought about by the great ‘Habagat’ that caused the great deluge in Mega Manila. The heavy rains and thunderstorms did not stop the significant performances scheduled in August 2012.
DISCOURSING PHILIPPINE MUSLIM HISTORY AT NHCP
Two days after the Habagat floods, the AlunAlun Dance Circle performed at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Celebrating History Month in August 2012 with the theme “Kamalayang Kasaysayan: Sandigan ng Sambayanan”, the NHCP organized a forum on Muslim contributions to Philippine history.
Hundreds of students from various schools and universities trooped to the Multi-purpose Hall to listen to the lectures of important intellectuals and artists like Dr. Abraham Sakili, Dean Julkipli Wadi, and ADC artistic director Ligaya F. Amilbangsa.
The forum coincided with the opening of an art exhibit featuring the works of Dr. Abraham Sakili who is also a member of the NHCP Board.
The ADC performed several dance numbers after the lecture of Dr. Sakili.
The ADC performance consisted of traditional pangalay dances like the tawti, the bula’bula, tariray and the original pangalay choreography using a fan called Igal Kabkab. The performance was highlighted by a new choreography about a historical event that has become part of Sulu folklore. This is the abduction of Napsa which utilized the use of masks.
EID’L FITR AT THE SM THE BLOCK
The Eid’l Fitr shows at the Atrium of SM The Block in North Edsa gave us valuable experience in performing in a mall setting. It was a great challenge for the ADC to perform in a frenzied environment where throngs of people come and go from all directions.
The AlunAlun Dance Circle (ADC) performances were in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc. (MKFI), Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Commission on Muslim Filipinos (CMF) and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID).
Important personalities attended the opening ceremonies of the Eid’l Fitr on 24 August 2012. The keynote speaker was Hon. Juan Ponce-Enrile, Senate President. His speech came after the Linggisan and Pangasik performance of the AlunAlun Dance Circle.
Other luminaries who attended were former senator Santanina Rasul, chair of Magbassa Kita Foundation, Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman, governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Hon. Mehol K. Sadain, head of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Amin T. Rasul, president of Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, Atty. Adel Tamano, Atty. Romina Bernardo, Prof. Moner M. Bajunaid who is the secretary-general of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista and MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino.
BUWAN NG WIKA AT MIRIAM COLLEGE
Then on August 31, the pangalay choreographies of the ADC became a significant part of the Buwan ng Wika celebration of Miriam College. This beautiful celebration was organized by Dr. Corazon R. Reyes, director for Basic Education.
The Marian auditorium has a beautiful stage that enhanced the flowing movements of the pangalay.
Yes, August 2012 may have given us an unforgettable crisis by way of natural and man-made disasters. But it also offered us the grand experiences of performing for various audiences.