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Lookback 2022: Pulse of Pangalay USA

May 24, 2025 by ADC Leave a Comment

Through the full-length concert titled PULSE OF PANGALAY, the ADC was able to share the art and practice of pangalay among significant groups and individuals in North America. This was an important phase in the cultural heritage work of ADC which was made possible because of the vision and dedication of the officers and members of the Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts. (The title of the show was named after the innovative choreography performed by ADC at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2018). The officers of Malaya who were instrumental in making this show possible are Peter de Guzman, artistic director, and Anna Lisa G. de Guzman, executive director. The rehearsals of ADC were done on the same day of the performance, as the group arrived only in the morning of Sep 24, 2022 which was the actual playdate of the concert. What made the run-through efficient despite the impossible time limitation was because of the professional assistance of theater veterans Grace Amilbangsa as stage manager and Anky Frilles as lighting director.

^{_{Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa on Pulse of Pangalay at Broadstage California, USA} _{– Photo courtesy of MALAYA.}}

The audience included Philippine Consul General in LA, Edgar Badajos and members of the Sulu Tawi-Tawi Association of USA. The latter expressed their gratitude and appreciation for promoting ang elevating their traditional arts. Other attendees were Alvin Catacutan, Torrance, California; Jackie Barrios, English Professor, University of Arizona; Mary Talusan, music Professor and author, California State University Dominguez Hills; Sri Susilowati, professor of dance, Santa Monica College (Indonesian Dance, Global Motion Director, World Performance Director); and Bernard Ellorin, associate faculty of music, Miracosta College. There were significant dance companies and music groups from North America: Parangal Dance Company and Barangay Dance Company, both based in San Francisco; Sining Kapuluan based in New York City; Pasacat Dance Company and Samahan Dance Company both based in San Diego, CA; Folklorico Filipino, Toronto Canada; Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, Los Angeles and San Diego; Rondalla Club of Los Angeles; Filipino Cultural School, Orange County; Kayamanan, Los Angeles; Martial artists: Jacob Ira, Houston, Texas; and Daily Malong and Kulintronica from Hawaii.

Related link:

“Dancing Full Circle at 80” by Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa

https://coverstory.ph/dancing-full-circle-at-80/

Lookback 2022: AlunAlun Dance Circle in California, USA

May 24, 2025 by ADC Leave a Comment

In 2022, AlunAlun Dance Circle collaborated with the Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts to launch “The Pangalay Project” — conceived to be a healing project through pangalay. Malaya’s artistic director, Peter de Guzman, states in the project concept: “As we continue to recover from the struggles of the global pandemic, part of the process of returning to our norm is by healing, particularly through the practice and performance of the arts.” In this regard, pangalay’s meditative and prayerful nature based on breathing renders it as a soothing and restorative art form.

The Pangalay Project consists of several activities set in September 2022 to celebrate Malaya’s 10th anniversary as well to commemorate Filipino American Heritage Month in California— the area in the US with the greatest number of Filipino Americans. Malaya sought to dedicate this show to the Filipino-American community “as an inspiration for healing and regaining strength while also engaging the community to discover our deep indigenous roots through the pangalay.”

The major activities of the ADC-Malaya partnership were:

Pulse of Pangalay: This was a full-length dance concert held at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, California, United States. The gala featuring pangalay dance compositions and various types of music is the full show in America dedicated to the pangalay.

Worshops: Workshops among dancers, choreographers, and dance enthusiasts were conducted within the period of the project collaboration.

Small performances: the AlunAlun Dance Circle held goodwill dance performances for small audiences.

THE ADC TEAM IN THE PANGALAY PROJECT, CALIFORNIA, USA

Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa – Artistic Director, performer, workshop directo
Rosalie Matilac – Managing Director, rehearsal master, performer
Joy Grace R. Cruz – Production Manager, performer, workshop facilitator
Jimo Angeles – dancer, workshop facilitator
Rose Ann Jasareno – dancer, workshop facilitator
Roselier Levi Azarcon – dancer, musician
Manuel Siapno – dancer, workshop facilitator
Abdulla-Bederi Mali – dancer, workshop facilitator
From Las Vegas, USA: Chloe Bernardo — dancer
From Paris, France: Trinita E. Derbesse – dancer

Lookback 2018: The Pulse of Pangalay

May 24, 2025 by ADC Leave a Comment

^{Image from “Pulse of Pangalay,” CCP Main Theater, June 30 and July 1, 2018}

On 30 June and 1 July 2018, Ligaya Amilbangsa with the AlunAlun Dance Circle performed the 7-minute dance composition titled “The Pulse of Pangalay” at the CCP Main Theater for the two-day dance concert Pulso Filipinas that featured leading folk dance, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, and dancesport companies in the Philippines. Ligaya Amilbangsa delivered the welcome speech on the first day, 30 June 2018. The concert was directed by Paul Alexander Morales and lighting design by Katsch Catoy.

^{Ligaya Amilbangsa in “Pulse of Pangalay” June 30 and July 1, 2018 at the CCP Main Theater.}

Ligaya Amilbangsa in her choreographic notes wrote:

The outstanding quality of pangalay or igal is stillness in motion, motion in stillness. This pulse or rhythm is based on normal breathing.

Pangalay is the ancient dance tradition of the Sulu Archipelago. From folk to contemporary expression, this living link of the Philippines to Southeast Asian classical dance forms comes out fresh and eloquent with visual devices adapted from Asian sources.

Beginning with basic pangalay postures and gestures portrayed in silhouettes, eventually the performance is juxtaposed with properties including masks, puppets, fan, shawl, parasol, food cover, native woven bamboo tray, scarf, and pangdan mat.

ADC Participates in the Launch of the Department of Tourism’s EID’L FITR Food Festival, 8 May 2023, DOT Building in Makati, Metro Manila by Temay Padero

May 22, 2023 by ADC 1 Comment

ADC performance DOT Makati 8 May 2023 Eidl Fitr Food Festival

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in observance of the month of Ramadan, organized the Food Festival at its building along Buendia Avenue. Through the courtesy of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the AlunAlun Dance Circle (ADC) was invited to perform at the Opening of the DOT Food Festival on 8 May 2023 at the DOT office in Makati. The ADC dancers were Jimo Angeles [in-charge] and members, Lyndie Literal, Mannex Siapno, and Temay Padero.

Langka silat, a martial art of Southern Philippines, was performed by Jimo Angeles as opening dance.

DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar introduced the special guest of honor, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. The Secretary emphasized the vital role of Mindanao in defining the Filipino identity: “Mindanao has been very close to my heart and I recognize that, in the people of Mindanao, you hold the key to the Filipino identify. You are the gatekeepers of our body and soul of the Filipino and that is why it is very important for us in DOT to honor our heritage, promote our culture and allow the Filipino people to remember our past and to give them a way to the future, a future that includes Mindanao, a future that includes to allow tourism and a future that includes the rich, beautiful and diverse culture of the people of Mindanao and to herald the best of the best of the Filipino identity to the world.”

Special guests at first row: DOT ASec Christopher V. Morales, DOT ASec Reynaldo L Ching, DOT USec Ferdinand C. Jumapao, DOT Sec Christina Garcia-Frasco, DOT USec Myra Pax Valderrosa-Abubakar, DTI ASec Glenn G. Penaranda. Second row: Chef Jam Melchor, Chairman Khalil Pundoma [Brgy. 384 Quiapo, Manila ], Halal Board Member Hon Sultan Faizal Coyogan B. Bansao , Director DTI export marketing bureau Jhino B. Ilano;

Dr. Anas Mohammad Sarker of Hijama PH delivered the invocation (not in photo).

Usec Abubakar watches Sec Frasco strike the ceremonial gong.

At the strike of the gong, DOT Secretary Frasco formally opened the Food Festival.

The Pangalay (aka Igal) Presentation of ADC

What is Pangalay [Dancers: Lyndie Literal, Mannex Siapno and Temay Padero]:

Pangalay dance at DOT Eidl Fitr Food Fest 8 May'23 — ADC dancers perform the annotated dance demonstration about pangalay movement vocabulary.

Mannex Siapno and Lyndie Literal performing the Eringan, a courtship dance

Left: Temay Padero performing Igal Kabkab or Fan Dance

DOT Usec Abubakar poses with ADC at the end of the performance.

ADC dancers and DOT Officers with pangalay dancing poses after the show

DOT Staff in a happy souvenir photo after the show.

ADC dancers (Mannex, Temay–left and Jimo, Lyn–right) with USEC Myra V. Abubakar and Director Ronald Conopio, Office of the DOT Secretary (middle of the photo).

–Photos courtesy of Department of Tourism, May 2023

KINDRED SPIRITS MEET IN TAWI-TAWI (Tawi-Tawi Trip on 13-19 March 2023) by Levi Azarcon

April 15, 2023 by ADC 1 Comment

ADC and Malaya research trip to Tawi-Tawi March 2023 — ADC members Levi Azarcon left documents the rich cultural experience of the trip to Tawi-Tawi with Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts members.

As the new moon approached in March 2023, the AlunAlun Dance Circle (ADC) together with Malaya Filipino-American Dance Arts based in Los Angeles, California went on a research and cultural exchange pilgrimage to Tawi-Tawi in the southwestern edge of the Philippines.

Aside from the distinction of being the earliest home of Islam in the archipelago, Tawi-Tawi is also ground zero of the pre-Islamic Igal/pangalay dance style which has the richest movement vocabulary among Philippine indigenous dances.

ADC’s Jimo Angeles, Levi Azarcon and Bongao native Arafa Biste together with Malaya’s Peter de Guzman and Marlo Campos conducted interviews and documented different variations of Pangalay, Kuntaw/Silat, Kulintangan and Gabbang music pieces among island communities and tribes. The group also had the privilege to interview and study under Hadji Elingan Jama, the last gabbang master maker of Bongao, a sweet old man in his 80s who is the embodiment of gabbang and byula music.

Mr. Omarjan Ibrahim Jahuran of Tabawan together with Sibimar Abubakar, guided the group to local artisans and makers of traditional attires, weaving and other implements and shared his knowledge on Filipino traditional martial arts and dying heritage traditions.

The group capped off their trip with a workshop / demonstration of lost or endangered pangalay/igal vocabulary movements and proper traditional techniques with the Mindanao State Univeristy-based Tambuli Cultural Dance Troupe, that was also founded by Prof. Ligaya Amilbangsa in 1974.
Currently under the directorship of Ms. Paramisuli Amin, Mr. Aidin Esmael (Head Choregrapher) and Mr. Mohammad Jakaria (Asst. Choreographer), Atchuch Sauragal (Lead musician), the Tambuli gave the ADC and Malaya a warm reception of pangalay dances from Tabawan, Simunul and Sitangkay which was reciprocated with gifts of ADC shirts, pangalay manuals and imported treats for the young members.

In an act of thanksgiving and prayer for a safe return, the group conquered the Philippines’ southernmost peak of Bud Bongao (or Mount Bongao). The mountain is of traditional and spiritual importance to the indigenous Sama people and hiking its trail is imperative to locals and visitors.

On the last day of their cultural immersion, Jimo, Levi, Peter and Marlo was invited by the Biste family of Pasiagan to witness a traditional ceremonial feast of pagdua’a – a thanksgiving ritual to the ancestors solemnized by Imam Hadji Ladja Biste. Here, the group was served with traditional Sama food and delicacies such as tiyula itum (black tinola), spiced fish dishes, chicken curry, sambal, panyam, lokot-lokot, pali’kambing, buchi manis, local fruits and some native tea prepared by Jumilyn Biste.

Like kindred spirits, the delegation successfully reinforced and reestablished relationships and connections with the cultural bearers as well as with the ordinary local citizens of Tawi-Tawi.

Pangalay Seminar and Film Showing at CCP in Oct 2018

November 21, 2018 by ADC Leave a Comment

On Oct 25 and 27, some 500 students of La Salle Dasmarinas Senior High School participated in the Sining Alamin Arts Appreciation Tour, an educational program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

There were 4 classes conducted on Oct 25 held in the morning and in the afternoon at the CCP Main Theater Lobby and the Amado V. Hernandez Hall. The students watched the digital short film, “Ang Kuwento ng mga Aninong Sumasayaw” about how Ligaya Amilbangsa documented pangalay / igal dance starting in the late 1960s in the Sulu Archipelago. The film showing was followed by an introductory workshop about basic postures and gestures of the dance.

On October 27, two sessions were held at the CCP Silangan Hall.

The trainers were Nannette Matilac, Louanne Mae Calipayan, Mannex Siapno, Temay Padero, Lyn Literal, Arafa Biste, with Levi Azarcon as documenter.

Louanne Calipayan conducts pangalay seminar.

ADC trainers, from left are Arafa Biste, Louanne Calipayan, Temay Padero, Lyn Literal, Levi Azarcon

Participants after session on Oct 25 at the Amado V. Hernandez Hall

Nannette Matilac conducts pangalay workshop after film showing.

Group shot of participants with pangalay teachers Mannex Siapno and Temay Padero at the CCP Main Lobby

Senior high students watch “Kuwento ng mga Aninong Sumasayaw” at the CCP Main Lobby.

AlunAlun Joins NCCA in Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Month on 25 OCT 2018

November 5, 2018 by ADC Leave a Comment

The NCCA in partnership with the Intramuros Administration (IA) launched SA TUWING KABILUGAN NG BUWAN (Full Moon at Puerta Real), a series of traditional and contemporary performances, traditional arts workshops. The event highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation of the Revellin de Real as the Resource Center for the Philippine Living Traditions and commemorated the Indigenous Peoples Month.

AlunAlun members after performance, fr left: Arafa Biste, Lyn Literal, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Nannette Matilac, Temay Padero, Mannex Siapno, Levi Azarcon

CAPTION: ADC with some members of the audience after the dance concert

Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa conducted a dance workshop on pangalay/igal dance form among students and dancers at 4:00 p.m.

The workshop was followed by a dance concert at 6:00 p.m with the ADC as one of the guest performers, showcasing dances such as tariray (dance with clappers), langka silat, pangalay with janggay or metal claws, and igal kabkab or pangalay with a fan.

These activities were held on October 25, 2018 (Thursday) at the Puerta Real with the objective of celebrating “the diversity and the uniqueness our cultures and artistic traditions.”