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New Full-length Documentary on Pangalay: “Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi” (Return to Tawi-Tawi)

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A scene from the film “Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi” with Ligaya Amilbangsa dancing with the participants in the fluvial parade in September 2012

“Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawitawi” documents Ligaya Amilbangsa’s return to the Sulu Archipelago after more than 30 years, to re-connect and to share with the people whose arts and culture she helped to preserve. The film centers on how Amilbangsa researched and documented pangalay, also known as igal and paunjalay in the Sulu Archipelgao.

The art of the Sulu Archipelago (Samal, Bajau, Tausug, Jama Mapun), particularly the performing arts and the visual arts, are the Philippine’s living links to the culture of the rest of Asia. At present, collective memory of the music, dances and visual arts is being lost at an alarming rate due to western acculturation, globalization, disinterest in tradition, armed conflict, and many other factors that the documentary will tackle.
Fortunately, such vanishing arts and culture of the Sulu Archipelago have been documented by Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, a Christian who fell in love with a Muslim closely related to the Sultanate of Sulu. In 1964, against her mother’s wishes, Ligaya married Datu Punjungan Amilbangsa, the younger brother of Sultan Mohammad Amirul Ombra Amilbangsa—the last reigning sultan of Sulu.
As fate would have it, the marriage became the fulfillment of Ligaya Amilbangsa’s life mission. By living in Sulu Archipelago for over three decades, she was able to record the performing arts, visual arts, and other traditions that are now endangered intangible cultural heritage.
“Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi”  was filmed in a period of three years from 2011 to 2013. The film is written and directed by Nannette Matilac, with support from LotusBlaze Projects, NCCA, Ateneo de Manila University, Museo Pambata, the Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, Mahardika Institute of Technology, with the efforts and financial assistance of many cultural workers who believe in the film project.

Exhibitions in February and March 2014:

24 February 2014 2:00 p.m. at UP Institute of  Islamic Studies, sponsored by UP IIS and ADC

26 February 2014 2:30 p.m. at PH 207, Palma Hall UP Diliman, sponsored by UP Anthropology Department, CSSP Folklore Studies and ADC

8 March 2014  10:30 a.m.  9th Fl, Technology Building, Far Eastern University, Manila sponsored by Angel C. Palanca Peace Project on the occasion of International Women’s Day

The film showings will be followed by dance demonstrations and lecture-discussions.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi, Ms. Matilac,
    Is the film Ang Pagbabalik sa Tawi-Tawi available on DVD or some other format that I can order for purchase? I’m in the U.S. I know Grace Amilbangsa and I found out about this film through her FB post. I do hope this will be available soon.

    Thanks a lot,
    Susan

  2. Dear Susan,
    It is a newly-finished film, but was three years in the making. We will discuss plans to make it available through DVD and will let you know asap. Thank you for your interest in the film and in pangalay. Nannette

  4. Hello,

    If this film is now out on DVDS, I too would be very interested in purchasing a copy.

    Also, I sincerely hope this website and this movement stays active.

    Best wishes –
    Maria

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