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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.

24 August 2012 featured a choreography on Linggisan and Pangasik during opening ceremonies:

Linggisan is a pangalay variant using the janggay or metal claws to amplify gestures and hand movements portraying images of a bird in flight, searching for food,or simply enjoying the gift of freedom. Pangasik is a pangalay variant that mimics the movements of a rooster.

PROGRAM onAUGUST 26, 2012

6 PM

Part I.  Traditional Dances

The first part of the program is about preservation. Tradition is essential to the soul of a nation.  It is the past living in the present, and reproducing itself for the future. But in order to continue tradition, we need to preserve it. So now, we bring to you the Pangalay dance style, also known as igal among the Badjaw, and paunjalay among the Yakan of Basilan province.

What is Pangalay?

Bula’bula—Pangalay danced to the rhythmic clicking of bamboo, wood, or shell clappers

Tauti—dance of the fishermen in catching catfish or tauti

Tariray—a pangalay variant of the Sama Dilaut or Badjaw. Tariray is a lively dance with bamboo clappers played in rhythm with the kulintangan beat

Eringan–a playful courtship dance called Eringan.

Linggisan—Numerous pangalay-style postures and gestures interpret a bird in flight in the dance called linggisan.

Second Part: Conservation of tradition

Conservation is acceptance of the transformation of tradition, but the introduction of change should be linked to the past.

The AlunAlun Dance Circle’s innovations keep pangalay relevant and appealing to contemporary audiences.  We use of masks, rhythmic sounds, improvised costumes, puppets, different types of musical accompaniment, and props, without losing the intrinsic character of pangalay.

We presented a series of dances accompanied by both traditional and contemporary musical compositions to demonstrate the versatility of the pangalay tradition.

The Abduction of Napsa—This is a dance scenario based on a historical event. The legend goes that Napsa is a woman who was seen dancing the pangalay in a ceremony where a powerful prince, Mawallil Wasit, was also present. Entranced by her beauty, the prince had abducted Napsa from Simunul Island in Tawi-Tawi. The story has become a legend in the scope of a metrical romance similar to Florante at Laura.

Igal Kabkab—original pangalay choreography by Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa using the fan (with the song ‘Babae Ka’ by Susan Fernandez) The femininity and strength of women is conveyed in this simple fan dance. Award-winning composition, music and lyrics by Ananias Montano.  Rendition by Susan Fernandez.

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan—A lullabye portraying a child’s nostalgic reminiscence of his mother.  Composed by Lucio San Pedro, with lyrics by Levi Celerio. Rendition by Regine Velasquez.

Sa Kabukiran—folk song rendered by Gilopez Kabayao interpreted in pangalay choreography

This is our Country, Philippines—patriotic novelty song by Yoyoy Villame