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 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.
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