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THROWBACK: FEB-MAR 2017 National Arts Month 2017

September 17, 2018 by ADC Leave a Comment

WATER SYMPHONY
Roosevelt College, Rodriguez in Rizal Province

Roosevelt College, Rodriguez, Rizal scheduled on 27 Feb 2017

[DUE TO THE NATIONWIDE TRANSPORT STRIKE ON MONDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2017, ROOSEVELT COLLEGE HAD TO POSTPONE THE PERFORMANCE. ]

This production titled WATER SYMPHONY was sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with the AlunAlun Dance Circle. The rescheduled performance on 6 Mar 2017 was very successful, attended by roughly 1000 students from Roosevelt College, Rodriguez, Rizal Province. The school also invited public school students from the municipality. Since all the chairs were occupied, many had to stand or sit on the floor.

It coincided with the inauguration of the new covered court of the school, with a capacity of 1200. The school administration headed by Mrs. Citas Alcantara was very excited that a pangalay performance to commemorate National Arts Month was the first activity in the covered court.

Significance of Water

Water is the precious gift of our planet to us, without which no life can exist. Nothing is as fresh, pure, and life-giving as water. Pangalay is an indigenous dance with an intimate relationship to water. Among coastal settlers and houseboat communities of the Sulu Archipelago in Southern Philippines, pangalay flourished as a lively expression of their close connection with nature. As this connection is gradually being lost, so is pangalay in danger of vanishing altogether.

Water Symphony is a celebration of life through dance. Pangalay reminds us that we come from a water culture. With each step we want to reconnect with the power and mystery of water. We want to allow water to speak through our movements. When we listen to water revealing its secrets, we learn more about who we are.

What is Pangalay?

This is an annotated demonstration of the refined aesthetics of pangalay gestures and postures, accompanied by costumes of everyday life among the Tau Sug, Badjaw, Sama and Jama Mapun groups of the Sulu Archipelago. In the photo from left: Lyndie Literal, Ligaya Amilbangsa (director/choreographer), Nannette Matilac.

Mutya ng Pasig (Muse of the Pasig River)

The dance is about a mysterious woman living on the banks of the Pasig River. She is the muse of the Pasig River who laments the imminent death of the river due to pollution and criminal neglect. With music by Nicanor Abelardo and rendition by Sylvia la Torre and dancers (from left) Lyndie Literal, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Nannette Matilac, Joy Ricote-Cruz.

Below the Waves

Since time immemorial, humans are drawn to the sea. The seascapes of the Philippines are formed and maintained by the interaction with human activities. As a tribute to the seas and oceans that sustain human life in our world, we bring you Below the Waves, with percussion music by African water drummers. Dancers from left: Joy Ricote-Cruz, Lyndie Literal, Mannex Siapno

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (Cradle Song)

Water is a magical element sustaining an unborn child in his mother’s womb and accompanying the baby’s emergence into the world. Pangalay’s gentle and soothing movements are well-suited for this vignette of a mother’s healing and nurturing nature, like water quenching our primal thirst for love. Music by National Artist Lucio San Pedro; Lyrics by National Artist Levi Celerio; Rendition by Regine Velasquez. Solo dance by Nannette Matilac

Power of Water

Water as Creator/Destroyer within the intermittent character of nature is depicted in choreography based on Tawti (dance of the fisherman), Langka (martial dance), and Linggisan (bird dance) which are all pangalay variants. Music for this dance is titled Pamugun by National Artist Francisco Feliciano and sung by the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Dancers fr left: Jimo Angeles, Lyn Literal, Joy Ricote-Cruz, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Nannette Matilac, Mannex Siapno.

Open Forum and Audience Participation

Students volunteered to go to the stage area to learn the rudiments of pangalay.

2016 Retrospective: Activities and Performances in June – December 2016

January 9, 2017 by Nannette Matilac 1 Comment

The last semester of 2016 was a full of significant events and projects. Among the highlights were a performance prayer in Malacañan Palace during the period of Ramadhan in pursuit of the peace process, a performance tour in four Asian countries to promote cultural diplomacy, an NCCA-sponsored dance workshop among 80 young people in Marikina City with the theme of saving the environment, and meaningful performances in various venues with multisectoral and multi-cultural audiences.

The members of the Water Symphony team for the 2016 Asian Performance Tour at the Lao National Cultural Hall in Vientiane. — *The members of the Water Symphony team for* *the 2016 Asian Performance Tour at the Lao National Cultural Hall in Vientiane.*

June 9, 2016. Pangalay as the Opening Interfaith Prayer in Malacañan Palace on the ocassion of the launch of “Junctures,” a collection of selected speeches and statements on the Bangsamoro Peace Process from 2012 to 2016. Venue at Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace, 5 p.m. H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III was the distinguished guest with the diplomatic corps, media, academe, and other sectoral representatives. Dancers were Mannex Siapno and Nannette Matilac, assisted by Levi Azarcon as technical person.

You may click link to the video recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ttwLgIMXw&feature=share

June 17, 2016. AlunAlun Dance Circle performed in the Department of Foreign Affair’s “Pamana ng Kalayaan” at the DFA Auditorium 6:00 p.m. The cocktail event attended by the diplomatic community was to commemorate both Heritage Month in May and Philippine Independence anniversary in June. The participants were Ligaya Amilbangsa, CB Garrucho, Mariel Francisco, Nannette Matilac, Gemely Amar, Temay Padero, Lyndie Literal, Jimo Angeles, Mannex Siapno, and Levi Azarcon. Technical supervisor for music and visual projection: Milabel CristobalMilabel Cristobal. Lights supervision by Loren Rivera.

June 21, 2016. Dance number to grace the Opening Ceremony of the “Culture and Art Exhibition” of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) at Rustan’s Makati at 6:00 p.m. The dancers were Gemely Amar and Lyn Literal assisted by Milabel Cristobal.

Mutya ng Pasig, a pangalay choreography, as performed in New Delhi on 22 June 2016 at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. — *“Mutya ng Pasig,” a pangalay choreography, as performed in New Delhi on 22 June 2016 at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Dancers from left: Louanne Calipayan, Mariel Francisco, Sarah Lumba.*

Phoenix L. Tajonera was the youngest member of the team who danced in Water Symohony, the Asiam tour. — *Phoenix L. Tajonera, here practicing at Myanmar’s National Theater, was the youngest member of the team who danced in Water Symphony, the Asian tour.*

June 20 to 30, 2016. Water Symphony is the title of the pangalay concert performed in four countries in Asia: India, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Cultural Diplomacy unit, the venues of the pangalay concerts were as follows:

New Delhi, India on 22 June 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library;
Yangon, Myanmar on 24 June 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the National Theater;
Vientiane, Lao PDR on 27 June 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the Lao National Cultural Hall, and
Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 29 June 2016, 7:00 p.m. at the Chaktomuk Theater.

The performers of Water Symphony with Ambassador Belinda Ante and dignitary from Lao PDR. — *The performers of Water Symphony with Ambassador Belinda Ante and a dignitary from Lao PDR.*

*Below the Waves, a chorepgraphy using African water beating as music, with dancers Jimo Angles and Mannex Siapno and Nannette Matilac behind the screen.*

August 24, 2016. “Pangalay Dance on Arts Online” was made possible by the CCP Arts Education Department through the Audience Development Division. The Arts Online CCP Lecture Series is a “bi-weekly video stream of educational materials for arts enthusiasts and students, and for greater understanding of Philippine arts and culture.” The talk which lasted for over 40 minutes featured the lecture of Ligaya Amilbangsa moderated by Abner Delina Jr. Ten (10) high school sites from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were linked to the pangalay lecture via live streaming.

*Having fun with pangalay! MVP with Ligaya Amilbangsa and Mariel Francisco.*

September 29, 2016. The Museum Volunteers of the Philippines (MVP) sponsored a dinner activity among its members in Forbes Park residence. The evening event was highlighted by a talk on pangalay with dance demonstration and audience participation. The lecturer was Ligaya Amilbangsa with Mariel Francisco and Mannex Siapno as facilitators.

Likahng Sining Bayan: pangalay workshop sponsored by NCCA at Kalumpang Elementary School — *Likhang Sining Bayan: pangalay workshop sponsored by NCCA*

*Warm-up exercises before the dance lessons*

*The covered court of Kalumpang Elementary school was the venue of Likhhang Sining Bayan: Pangalay workshop 2016*

October to November 2017. Some 82 young people with ages 8 to 17 participated in weekend pangalay workshops starting on 8 October. Venue was at the covered court of Kalumpang Elementary school. The workshop curriculum is based on the Amilbangsa Instruction Method of teaching pangalay. The head of the instructors was Sarah Lumba. Pangalay teachers were Jimo Angeles, Mannex Siapno, and Temay Padero.

November 17, 2016. Roosevelt College System branch in Cainta sponsored a three-hour session about pangalay starting at 8:00 a.m. This is in line with the vision of reviving the folk dance group of the college. The documentary, Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi— the story on how pangalay was documented and preserved satrting in the late 1960s, was shown to the students, followed by a dance demonstration. Assisting Ligaya Amilbangsa in this event was Jimo Angeles and Lyndie Literal.

*The banner of Likhang Sining Bayan with logos of sponsors and organizers.*

December 5, 2016. Likhang Sining Bayan: Alay sa Kalikasan is the title of the pangalay show with the them of saving the environment. The performance is the outcome of the NCCA-sponsored workshop. Performance at the Manila City Hall, 8:00 a.m. : There were at least 1500 spectators at the Flag Ceremony performance on 5 December 2016. The government employees of Marikina City applauded the young dancers who gave a meaningful performance with “Panalangin ng Kabataan ng Marikina para sa Kalikasan” and “Bubuyog at Paruparo.” This was followed by a special show at the Teatro Marikina by 10:00 a.m.

December 10, 2016. The ADC members and he Likhang Sining Bayan workshop participants were invited by Marikina City to perform at the Marikina Sports Center during the Rehiyon-Rehiyon Festival. This is the annual cultural event of Marikina City consisting of competitive street dances and other performances.

December 20, 2016. Many participants of Likhang Sining Bayan are students of KES. Therefore, the school principal, parents, teachers and other students who were all curious of workshop’s outcome anticipated the pangalay segment. The pangalay choreographies consisted the first part of the program after the speeches of KES officers.

"Reduce, Reuse. Recycle" is the title of the choreography to a patriotic song by Yoyoy Villame titled "This is My Country Philippines." — “Reduce, Reuse. Recycle” is the title of the choreography accompanied by a patriotic song by Yoyoy Villame titled “This is My Country Philippines.” The workshop participants at the Rehiyon-Rehiyon Festival, Marikina City on 10 Dec 2016.

2016 Retrospective: Activities and Performances in January – May 2016

January 7, 2017 by Nannette Matilac Leave a Comment

The AlunAlun Dance Circle continues to fulfill its mission of promoting intangible cultural heritage through the conservation and promotion of pangalay which is also known as igal and pansak among the indigenous groups of Southern Philippines.

ADC performance at National Museum on 20 March 2016 during the launch of Filipinas Photo Exhibit Photo courtesy of NM — *ADC performance at National Museum on 20 March 2016 during the launch of Filipinas Photo Exhibit*
*Photo courtesy of NM.*

Ligaya Amilbangsa wearing mask in a performance at the CCP Little Theater on the occaion of ALAB NCCA in April 2016. Photo courtesy of NCCA.

January 15, 2016. Pangalay Suite for the East West Center and the East West Center Alumni Association, Philippine Chapter. Venue was at the Pandanggo and Polkabal function rooms of the Manila Hotel, Roxas Boulevard. The production was made possible with Ligaya Amilbangsa as choreographer and dancer. Dancers: Nannette Matilac, Joy Ricote, Sarah Lumba, Mannex Siapno, Levi Azarcon, Sarri Tapales, and Lyn Literal; technical supervisor for music and visual projection: Milabel Cristobal.

January 28, 2016. At the Dusit Hotel, the ADC graced the Launch of Demoncratic Party Development Bangsamoro (DEPAdev) sponsored by the European Union, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Philippines Office and the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG). The performers: Ligaya Amilbangsa, Nannette Matilac, Temay Padero, Lyn Literal, Mannex Siapno, and Levi Azarcon.

February 5, 2016. De La Salle University (DLSU) invited the ADC to perform two shows under the Action Program of DLSU Culture and Arts Office. Each presentation started with the lecture-demonstration titled “What is Pangalay?”. The intention of the program is to provide informative and entertaining performances which will enrich the awareness of DLSU students about the arts. Each show lasted for 20 minutes followed by open forum and interaction with the audience. ADC members who participated in this worthwhile activity: Ligaya Amilbangsa, Louanne Calipayan, Punch Gavino, Temay Padero, Mannex Siapno, Lyn Literal with Milabel Cristobal as technical person.

"Hindi Basta-Basta" is a choreography using the Tagalog novelty song about courtship became popular in the late 1950s. Rendition by Sylvia la Torre. THe dance is part of Alay sa Kababaihan 2016. Dancers here: Mannex Siapno and Temay Padero — “Hindi Basta-Basta” is a choreography using the Tagalog novelty song about courtship became popular in the late 1950s. Rendition by Sylvia la Torre. THe dance is part of Alay sa Kababaihan 2016. Dancers here: Mannex Siapno and Temay Padero

March 11, 2016. On the Occasion of Women’s Month 2016, the Barangay San Lorenzo and the AlunAlun Dance Circle (ADC) presented “Pangalay ng Bayan: Alay sa Kababaihan 2016, Celebrating Women Through Dance.” This was open to the public with venue at the Covered Court of San Lorenzo Village. It showcased ADC’s innovations to keep pangalay relevant and appealing to contemporary audiences. These include the use of masks, rhythmic sounds, improvised costumes, puppets, different types of musical accompaniment, and props, without losing the intrinsic character of pangalay. There was good interaction with the audience during the Open Forum after the performance. The ADC members who joined this show: Ligaya Amilbangsa, CB Garrucho, Louanne Calipayan, Mariel Francisco, Temay Padero, Milabel Cristobal, Lyn Literal, Mannex Siapno, and Levi Azarcon.

Ligaya Amilbangsa's portrait is one of the 30 portraits in FIlipinas Exhibit at the National Museum. — *Ligaya Amilbangsa’s portrait is one of the 30 portraits in FIlipinas Exhibit at the National Museum.*

The militant song "Mga Babae" is danced with bula'bula using bamboo clappers, by CB Garrucho and Ligaya Amilbangsa. — *The militant song “Mga Babae” is danced with bula’bula using bamboo clappers, by CB Garrucho and Ligaya Amilbangsa.*

March 20, 2016. Original pangalay choreographies in harmony with the theme of Filipinas provided a fitting opening to the launch of the FILIPINAS exhibition at the 4^th Floor of the National Museum (old Finance Building), 5 p.m. FILIPINAS photo exhibit features images of distinguished Filipino women by Isa Lorenzo which was first shown at the CCP in 2006. Ligaya Amilbangsa’s portrait is one of the 30 outstanding Filipinas. FILIPINAS was also exhibited at the UNESCO (Paris) in 2007 and at the Philippine Embassy in Brussels in 2008.

Mannex Siapno in the performance at CCP.

Jimo Angeles performs tawti in ALAB NCCA.

April 28, 2016. ALAB NCCA: The 29th Anniversary Recognition Night, described as “a night of recognition for the tireless cultural workers and a showcase of talent in celebration of the NCCA’s anniversary.” Ligaya Amilbangsa, with the ADC male dancers Jimo Angeles and Mannex Siapno, regaled the occasion with an innovative choreography. Venue was at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, 5:00 pm.

Below: The women of AlunAlun performing at FILIPINAS launch, March 20, 2016.

Nannette Matilac with the old time favorite, "Sa Ugor ng Duyan" — Nannette Matilac with the old time favorite, “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”

Sarah Lumba dancing at the National Museum.

April-May 2016. This marks the start of the project with Museum Volunteers of the Philippines (MVP). The volunteer organization gave a small grant to ADC to implement a project on preserving the craft of making traditiona garments among the Badjao. This is an important project because it aims to encourage the remaining artisans to continue their craft. Project runs until first quarter of 2017.

*The project supported by the Museum Volunteers of the Philippines is valuable in giving incentives to local artisans to continue their craft of making native garments.*

FLASHBACK 2015: LFA Presents Paper at 1st Sama Dilaut International Conference

May 25, 2016 by Louanne Calipayan Leave a Comment

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi- Ms. LIgaya Fernando-Amilbangsa presented a paper on Igal/ Pangalay on the first day of the 1 st International Conference on the Sama Badjao (Sama Dilaut) held at the Marine Science Museum of the MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography. The conference, which was held from December 1-3, 2015, had the theme: Sea-bound and Cross-borders Maritime Commerce and Sea-faring Lifeways of the Sama Dilaut in Tawi-Tawi.

Ms. Amilbangsa was assigned to give a lecture on the topic, “Negotiation and Accommodation of Igal as Aesthetic and Performative Ritual.” In her lecture, she highlighted the accomplishments of the Sama Dilaut and noted that igal “asserts the ethnic legitimacy of the Sama Dilaut in a community of strongly-held customs and prejudices, but inhibits social stratification in dance… thus, igal has a dignifying effect and serves as a unifying force among the natives.

Ms. Amilbangsa further observed that while the continued marginalization of the Sama Dilaut brings with it the decline of igal as an aesthetic and performative ritual, there was a “ray of hope” in the recently-held Kamahardikaan Festival, that “seemed to glorify the Sama Dilaut ancestry, judging from the focus on the lepa (houseboat), and igal symbolic of their aesthetic and performative competence.”

Wrapping up her lecture, Ms. Amilbangsa shared her fervent hopes that future festivals “will not only be for show, but a beginning with a happy and meaningful continuity—which will translate into a better socio-economic deal for the Sama Dilaut or Badjaw of the Sulu Archipelago.”

On the second day of the conference, “Memories of the Sea,” a documentary about the Badjaw in Roxas Boulevard, Manila by Ms. Nannette Matilac was shown to the participants.

The three-day workshop was very successful, and generated a lot of interest from the participants, who represented various stakeholder groups.

FLASHBACK 2015: Tawi-Tawi Honors Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa with Lifetime Achievement Award

May 24, 2016 by Louanne Calipayan Leave a Comment

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi- On Sept. 25, 2015, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi again recognized the contribution of Ms. Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa to the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the province during the Agal-Agal Festival program held at the DepEd Compound as part of its 2nd annual Kamahardikaan celebration.

Immediately before the awarding, Dr. Filemon G. Romero, Chairman of the Agal-Agal Festival Committee, read Resolution No. 19 s. 2015which granted Ms. Amilbangsa the Life Achievement Award as a Tawi-Tawian. The resolution stated that Ms. Amilbangsa is “considered a Tawi-Tawian,” due to her marrying Datu Punjungan Amilbangsa and her having lived a major portion of her life in Sitangkai, Simunul, and Bongao. It also recalled that in 2011, she was awarded the Most Outstanding Tawi-Tawian in the field of culture and arts due to her contribution in the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the province as the founder of MSU TCTO Tambuli Cultural Troupe, which still continues to preserve the authenticity of the native dances and music of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The resolution also mentioned her authoring two books: Pangalay: Traditional Dances and Related Folk Artistic Expressions, and Ukkil: the Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago, as well as her developing a dance vocabulary and methodology to teach Pangalay to non-native dancers. Finally, the resolution also cited Ms. Amilbangsa’s having received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2015.

Officials from the different towns of the province looked on as Ms. Amilbangsa was conferred the “Lifetime Achievement Award to a Tawi-Tawian.” Ms. Amilbangsa graciously accepted the award with a speech amid a colorful sea of dancers and boat-inspired floats.

After the awarding ceremonies, participating municipalities showcased the rich cultural traditions of Tawi-Tawi through their dance showdown pieces highlighting different aspects of their culture, as well as the important role of the Agal-agal (seaweed) industry. Among the board of judges for the street dance competition and dance showdown were Ms. Amilbangsa’s former and present Pangalay dancers: Hja. Sakinur-Ain Delasas, who is now the Artistic Director of the Tambuli Cultural Troupe; Mahail Hadjan, who founded another cultural troupe, the Jama Sambatau; and Louanne Mae Calipayan, who is with Ms Amilbangsa’s Manila-based group, the AlunAlun Dance Circle.

A Retrospective: The Good and Memorable 2015

May 23, 2016 by Nannette Matilac Leave a Comment

The AlunAlun Dance Circle marked its 15th year since the organization’s legal existence in 2000. Here are 15 things to remember and be thankful for about 2015.

Sunday Pangalay Sessions

For 15 years, ADC members and friends continued the practice of holding dance sessions every Sunday, through sultry or stormy weather. The weekly practice has become a tradition.

The Handog Center

Sheila Nicolas_2015Mar20_HANDOG Center_ligaya ron rej wd caption On 20 and 21 March 2015, the Handog Center was inaugurated with film showings on the first day and performances on the second day. The Handog Center is another home of the AlunAlun Dance Circle based in Marikina City, with address at 9 JP Rizal corner MH del Pilar streets, Calumpang, Marikina City. The Handog Center is the present (2016) address and office of the AlunAlun Dance Circle.

Pangalay Handbook

Early in 2015, we learned that the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) approved our proposal to make a Pangalay Handbook or manual to aid in the teaching of pangalay. Completed in 2015 by pangalay guru, Ligaya F. Amilbangsa, it will soon be published by the ADC. The book is finished and will be out in 2016!

Children Dancing Pangalay

cai wadi as narrator with caption lowres hannah as narrator 2015 lowres roni as narrator 2015 lowres

In 2015, children took center stage as the narrators and dancers in a short film entitled Ang Kuwento ng mga Aninong Sumasayaw (A Tale of Dancing Shadows) written and directed by Nannette Matilac with animation by Ellen Ramos. Produced in 2015 with NCCA support, the short film will be launched in 2016. The child dancers/narrators are Cai Wadi, Hannah Wadi, and Roni Matilac. In a few years, these children will grow into lovely ladies dancing pangalay!

The National Mission Conference

On 20 May 2015, the ADC presented a series of traditional and innovative choreographies for the National Mission Conference with the theme “Gifted to Give.” The performance was held at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City. The appreciative audience was composed of local and international delegates from the church sector. In the accompanying photo, Nannette Matilac dances the tariray using bamboo clappers with the beautiful mat from Tawi-Tawi as background, held by masked dancers.

2015 Ramon Magsaysay Award

ligaya amilbangsa portrait 2014 The well-deserved award for Ms. Ligaya Amilbangsa, ADC artistic director, is recognition of her quiet and continuous efforts in preserving intangible cultural heritage. This iconic photo is by Isa Lorenzo.

Pangalay for Teachers’ Development

Two events for teachers were sponsored by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for public school teachers. In July 2015, on the occasion of the Eidl Fitr, the film Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi was shown to an audience of public school teachers, highlighted by a dance performance by ADC dancers. Then on 18 September 2015, Ligaya Amilbangsa gave a lecture with dance demonstration as part of the “KKK: Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kasaysayan – An Alternative National Seminar Conference for Teachers.”

42nd Kamahardikaan and Agal-Agal Festival

LEPA FLOAT SIBUTU AGAL-AGAL FESTIVAL 2014 Tawi-Tawi was the original place where Ligaya Amilbangsa started her research on pangalay since the 1960s. The link to the province has grown even stronger in the 21st century. In September 2015, Ligaya Amilbangsa and Louanne Mae Calipayan graced the 42nd Kamahardikaan Festival as judges in the Agal-Agal Festival. (See separate article by Louanne Mae Calipayan.)

Marikina City’s Tribute to ADC Artistic Director

On 28 September 2015, Marikina City hosted a dinner-tribute for Ligaya Amilbangsa at the Marikina City Cultural Center aka Kapitan Moy heritage house. Ligaya was given the honor as one of the city’s most outstanding citizens. The AlunAlun Dance Circle presented a spunky pangalay choreography using music of the Beatles and Michael Jackson – two artists who were unknown to Ligaya because she was so immersed in Sulu culture for decades.

Pangalay at Quezon City’s Diamond Jubilee

QC 75th anniversary 2015 adc street performance On a sultry afternoon on 10 October 2015, the ADC presented a dazzling 20-minute open air performance. This was on the occasion of the 75 th Anniversary of the founding of Quezon City. The performance preceded the street dancing competition.

Museum Volunteers of the Philippines

picture for museum volunteers of the philippines On 14 October 2015, the ADC led by Ligaya Amilbangsa conducted a lecture with dance demonstration for the members of the Museum Volunteers of the Philippines (MVP) for their Philippine history course. The lecture demo was held at the amphitheater of the Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell Center, Makati City. The activity signaled the start of a fruitful relationship with the MVP in 2016.

HABI

The ADC has always supported preservation and development of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, especially those of the indigenous peoples. On 25 October 2015, the ADC participated in the Likhang Habi bazaar that showcased traditional weaving and fabrics of the Philippines. A short repertoire of pangalay choreographies at the open theater of the Glorietta 2 Ayala Malls included an interpretation of Norma Liongoren’s poem by Ligaya Amilbangsa. Norma has always been a close friend of the ADC since its inception.

Ka-loob Benefit Show for the Lumad Youth

UP-Ka-Loob Concert_Pangalay 2 with caption

On 28 October 2015, the ADC performed for the benefit of the Lumad youth of Mindanao. Dubbed as Ka-Loob, the benefit concert to support the Lumad youth was held at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium. The live kulintangan accompaniment of ADC’s performance was rendered by the members of UP Tugma from the UP College of Music.

The Sama Dilaut Conference

SEPTEMBER 2015 TWT [LFA with group at airport]

In less than two months after the Agal-Agal Festival in 2015, Ligaya Amilbangsa and Louanne Calipayan were back to Tawi-Tawi, this time for the 1 st Sama Dilaut (Philippine Badjaw) International Conference held in Tawi-Tawi on 1-3 December 2015. Of course, Ligaya Amilbangsa’s participation was important. She was the first to document Sama Dilaut ritual dances in early 1970s, bringing them to the legitimate stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ligaya delivered the paper entitled: “Negotiation and Accommodation of Igal as Aesthetic and Performative Ritual.” The first conference on the Badjaw in the province was held at MSU-Tawitawi College of Technology and Oceanography.

Friends in Media and from All Over the World

ADC STUDIO WITH PETER AND BERNARD with caption

We thank our friends and co-advocates who work for the preservation of traditional cultural heritage. We thank the print, broadcast, and online media coverage in 2015 that helped in disseminating information about what the AlunAlun Dance Circle is doing to preserve pangalay (aka igal or pansak) and related arts of Southern Philippines.