A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; . . . — John Keats Birth and beginnings are great moments, they open avenues and foster hope and promise—just like January, first month of the calendar year that rings as the favoured month to start new things […]
The AlunAlun Dance Circle
We seek to preserve Pangalay, a living link to traditional dance cultures in the Asian region where sensitivity is the key to learning and mastery of the many nuances of traditional dances. Pangalay has closest affinity to the Indian, Javanese, Thai, Burmese and Cambodian styles of classical dancing.
Our Mission
Under the tutelage of pangalay dance teacher and choreographer, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, the AlunAlun Dance Circle aspires to revive, stimulate and sustain interest in ancient Filipino art forms, notably the pangalay dance style, through comprehensive dance instruction, research, and performances.
Pangalay: literally, a gift offering.
Pangalay also means "temple of dance" in Sanskrit. Pangalay antedates Christianity and Islam in the Philippines. Among Philippine indigenous dances, the pangalay dance style has the richest movement vocabulary. It is the closest to a classical form.
News and Updates
A Memoir of Pangalay as Told by Pacita “Punch” Gavino
“It seemed easy enough to do,” I thought to myself as I watched the pangalay program at the Roman Garden on the bank of the Marikina River in 2005. I had already seen Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa give a short demonstration of it at a conference at the Cultural Center of the Philippines many years ago, and […]
PANGALAWANG YUGTO: Konsiyerto ng Pangalay, Tula, Salinawit, at Musika
PROJECT BACKGROUND: Traditional dance such as pangalay is a dynamic expression of a people’s history and worldview. Thus, it is imperative that it be preserved in order to safeguard such a rich cultural heritage. Pangalay can be the choreographic language to any kind of music—whether traditional, pop, western classical or rock. It can be […]