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A Pangalay Memoir

May 25, 2025 by Pacita "Punch" Gavino Leave a Comment

Pacita “Punch” Gavino in 2011 during the performance of Alay sa Kalayaan, June 12, at the Batangas City Gymnasium. Photo by Cynthia Paz 

“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 CCP many years ago, and given what I thought at the time were only a few dance steps, I wondered how she and her group could sustain a whole hour of it now, even with the Marikina Rondalla joining in to play a few numbers in the same program. 

The entire show was mesmerizing, so I decided to accept the invitation of Tita Sicat, my friend and fellow English teacher, to attend the pangalay dance lessons every Sunday afternoon at Ligaya’s studio in Mayamot, Antipolo. As a pangalay performer herself, she believed that, for me to be credible as a Philippine Arts teacher at UP Manila, my experience in doing theater and music on stage should also include dance.

Was I so completely mistaken about pangalay being easy! Coming in cold to the first pangalay lesson, and with no previous exercise regimen to brag about, I was already feeling very tired  even when we were just starting our warm-up exercises. Somehow, I survived my first three-hour session, because Ligaya simply made me imitate what the row of dancers in front of me was doing, no matter how awkward I might have looked as a senior citizen trying so hard to look graceful.

But I persisted every Sunday afternoon because I didn’t want the embarrassment of quitting so soon. Besides, the pleasant chatter among newfound friends in the group during these sessions, and the occasional merienda treats, were always something to look forward to. Though I still wasn’t exercising daily as Ligaya wanted us to do, the Sunday sessions gradually became less painful on the knees and thigh muscles. After the “catching up on the latest news” at the beginning of each session, the place would soon quiet down, and the dancing gave us precious moments of mindfulness.

Ligaya always said that it would take three months to learn the pangalay, three years to do it well, and six years to dance it beautifully. I was barely past the third month when Ligaya suddenly included me in a brief performance at the UP Film Institute. I wanted to refuse because I didn’t feel ready, but she assured me everything would be ok. “Tatakpan ko lang kayo ng maraming props,” she said, referring to the umbrella and shawl she dumped on me. I was amused at the solution, but I obeyed. The walk-in audience said all of us did very well. So, there! I was really part of the AlunAlun Dance Circle now. The high point of my pangalay life came early in 2009 when Ligaya said we were going to perform in Hanoi, Vietnam, upon the invitation of Philippine Ambassador Laura Q. del Rosario. As luck would have it, I twisted my ankle while leaving the dining room on the day before the first performance. My debut on a foreign venue so soon aborted! Fortunately, there was another performance on the second day, which gave time for my swollen ankle to heal, and the group so kindly adjusted one dance step so that I could lessen the pressure on my feet.

Pacita Gavino (seated far right after a performance) at the Habi event at Glorietta in Makati City in 2015; with her seated from left are ADC members Mariel Francisco, Lyndie Literal, Gemely Amar, Nannette Matilac, Ligaya Amilbangsa, and a master weaver from Southern Philippines; standing are ADC members Milabel Cristobal, Mannex Siapno, and Temay Padero. Photo courtesy of Mariel Francisco

The audience of foreign diplomats praised the show, with some of them not having ever seen the pangalay in the past.  They acknowledged that the pangalay was very similar to some of the dances in their own countries, and they happily and proudly declared that “now you are truly part of Asia.”

I haven’t listed the many other local performances that followed, especially when Ligaya became a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, but I distinctly remember some performance venues like the FEU theater, famous in the 1950s for its stage productions, especially the opera; the Holy Angel University auditorium in Pampanga where we had three successive performances in one day; the Batangas City Amphitheater, where we were welcomed by Atty. Tony Pastor and treated to his impromptu performance on his Bosendorfer grand piano in his centuries-old home in Batangas; the SM North lobby in Quezon City, for the Eidl Fitr celebration, with a walk-in audience of mallgoers; the Riverbanks lobby in Marikina, with an audience that dropped by before attending Sunday mass.

I especially cherish the workshop and performance of the Boys’ Town children and the elderly in the old folks’ home called Luwalhati ng Maynila, both housed in the same compound in Parang, Marikina. It was heartbreaking to hear the children’s stories of abuse that led them to seek shelter there, and the old folks’ stories of being abandoned by their families. They asked “bakit ninyo kami pinag-aabalahan pa e palipas na kami?” The pangalay workshop-recital was welcome therapy for both the children and the elderly; it was a chance to improve their self-esteem. There was also the series of workshop-recitals of the schoolchildren in Kalumpang, Marikina, showing promise of a new generation of pangalay performers.

I haven’t danced the pangalay for a couple of years now, but I relish the occasional role of emcee/annotator/moderator for performances whenever CB Garrucho and Mariel Francisco are not available. I continue to marvel at Nannette Matilac’s energy in coordinating and managing all our shows, and remembering all the choreography details past and present for the sake of forgetful senior citizen members.

 I know there is a lot more to learn from Ligaya in her Handog office/studio in Kalumpang, and I always listen intently to her explanation of the origin and rationale of certain pangalay movements, her deep knowledge of the Sama and Tausug culture, her reminiscences of her life in Tawi-tawi. I value the moments when she corrects or changes our pangalay blocking, and I note how her creative touch does indeed improve on the original design, just as I enjoy observing how theater directors also correct or completely revise their earlier instructions to the stage actors, because I learn as much from the rehearsal as from the polished performance.

And so it is, as I watch Ligaya spring from her seat and, in spite of all continuing complaints about this and that body affliction of hers, she becomes magically transformed into a young dancer again. And so it is with pangalay, which– in the way that she has conceptualized its growth and development–will always remain young. – Punch, written in 2019

Filed Under: Blogs, News Tagged With: ADC, Memoir, Pangalay

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. 

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/

Filed Under: News

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 

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: ADC in USA, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, Pangalay ADC

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.

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

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. 

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

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. 

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

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, Pangalay ADC

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
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

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Pangalay ADC

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.

Filed Under: News

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.

Filed Under: News

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.

http://pangalaydance.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/received_798000047232289.mp4

 

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.”

Filed Under: News

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