PROJECT BACKGROUND:
Traditional dance such as pangalay is a dynamic expression of a people’s history and worldview. Thus, it is imperative that it be preserved in order to safeguard such a rich cultural heritage. Pangalay can be the choreographic language to any kind of music—whether traditional, pop, western classical or rock. It can be performed with both poetry and prose, with sounds and silences.
The new work is dubbed as “pangalawang yugto” since the first konsiyerto was held successfully in June 2011 at the historic FEU Auditorium. In the first konsiyerto, the AlunAlun Dance Circle successfully collaborated with literary writers, musicians, and pop singers in fusing pangalay with poetry, salinawit (lyrics adaptation) of pop standards, as well as with other types of Philippine music. The konsiyerto demonstrated that pangalay as choreographic language enhances the significance of Filipino works in music and literature, and such creative pieces should be popularized among the people to strengthen cultural awareness in national heritage.
The new work for 2020, PANGALAWANG YUGTO: KONSIYERTO NG PANGALAY, TULA, SALINAWIT AT MUSIKA, aims to bring the traditional dance of the indigenous peoples to wider audiences. The pangalay choreographies will fuse poetry, salinawit, and music of prominent Filipino composers—including compositions of National Artists.
The concert was originally planned to be performed in Miriam College, De La Salle University, and Far Eastern University.
CREATIVE PROCESS IN CHOREOGRAPHY:
Meetings and rehearsals began as early as January 2020 to decide on the music renditions and composers to be included. The production was also a good opportunity for selected ADC members to learn, train, and hone skills in using using pangalay movement vocabulary in dance composition. The project was a good opportunity to develop pangalay choreographers under the guidance of artistic director Ligaya F. Amilbangsa. Thus, by February 2020, the company formed teams to work on the choreography for each dance number in the new repertoire.
CHALLENGES in MOUNTING A FULL-LENGTH CONCERT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC and ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (ECQ)
On 16 March 2020, the government enforced a Luzon-wide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ADC stopped all face-to-face activities but continued dance sessions online starting in April 2020. The strategy to decentralize the creation of dance compositions was very appropriate under ECQ.
Since every member was under lockdown and staying at home, choreographers worked individually instead of working by teams. Choreographers video recorded their dance pieces which were presented to Ms. Amilbangsa who corrected and enhanced the laboratory works. Face-to-face consultation with Ms Amilbangsa was done only if necessary, but with precautionary measured. The final choreography as corrected by the artistic director was then recorded by the choreographer (with himself/herself as dancer) and sent to each dancer assigned to the piece.
Rehearsals: The dancer(s) assigned to perform rehearsed at home. To rehearse together, dancers utilized online meeting rooms.
Two dancer/choreographers based in the USA, Chloe Bernardo and Peter de Guzman, joined the production following the same process described above. Both balikbayan dancers joined the 1st Konsiyerto ng Pangalay in 2011 held at the FEU Auditorium.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
If face-to-face rehearsals or meetings in the dance studio were necessary, only a limited number of dancers/members met under strict safety measures e.g. physical distancing, wearing of mask. Each member of the production was advised to bring his/her own personal stuff (alcohol, extra masks, tumbler, utensils). Everyone wore face masks at all times except when eating/drinking, and during video recording—as performers. Everyone maintained physical distancing while eating. Tables and chairs were cleaned and disinfected after every use of the area.
Production members (dancers, choreographers, videographers, crew) accomplished daily the HEALTH FORM and undergo TEMPERATURE CHECK. (For any person with temperature > 37.5°C even after a 5-minute rest, or if their response in the questionnaire needs further evaluation by the designated staff, the person shall be isolated in a well-ventilated and disinfected area identified by the company. S/he will not allowed to enter the premises.)
Inside the workplace: Work areas and frequently handled objects such as door knobs and handles were disinfected. Toilets have running water and soap. All members were encouraged to wash hands frequently. ADC provided sanitizers and alcohol in corridors.
VIDEO COVERAGE OF LIVE PERFORMANCES
Because mass gatherings are not allowed under ECQ, General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified GCQ, each dance was recorded in video format as a live performance. To lessen the number of people during video production, six choreographic works were recorded separately from the designated day of video recording on 2 October 2020. On this day, the majority of the choreographies were filmed at the ADC Studio in Antipolo City, a 700 sq meter facility with convertible dance studio, gardens, single detached open kitchen, residential house.
The facility in Antipolo was spacious enough to allow physical distancing for some 20 people composed of dancers and production people. The performance and rehearsal spaces were ideal for the rehearsals and ensemble performance, like the finale number, Lucio San Pedro’s “President’s March,” with 10 dancers.
MUSIC FOR THE CONCERT
Majority of selections for the concert already have available recordings in YouTube. The ADC wrote a formal letter to the pertinent singers and musicians informing them about the fair use of their music. To date, ADC has not received any reply.
New recordings were done for two salinawit songs and Andres Bonifacio’s poem. Ms. Cooky Chua and her guitar accompanist recorded the songs “La Vie en Rose” / “Kulay Rosas” and “Young at Heart” / “Pusong Wagas.” Ms Chua’s participation was significant because she was the singer of salinawit songs in the first Konsiyerto ng Pangalay performed at FEU Auditorium in 2011.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Buenconsejo (former dean of UP Diliman College of Music) made a new arrangement and minus one for “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” with vocals by theater artist Rody Vera.
POSTPRODUCTION
Editing the video materials was quite painstaking because of the six production numbers were documented using various gadgets, mostly cellphone cameras. The concert was edited in four parts which can be viewed separately or as a whole. Each part has a general description. Every dance number has a title card about the choreography, the choreographer, dancer(s), musicians, and composer. In other words, the program (see below) has been integrated into the four-part concert.
PROGRAM
PANGALAWANG YUGTO: KONSIYERTO NG PANGALAY, TULA, SALINAWIT AT MUSIKA
PART 1
Scene 1: What is Pangalay?
A brief annotative introduction by Ligaya F. Amilbangsa about a traditional dance style indigenous to the Sulu Archipelago, Southern Philippines
Narration: CB Garrucho
Dancers: Nannette Matilac, Erika Cruz, Nicole Clavel
Choreography: Ligaya F. Amilbangsa
Scene 2: Traditional Pangalay Variations
Medley of kulintangan music and variations of pangalay dances:
Igal Kabkab: Pangalay choreographed with a kabkab or fan
Pagkamun: A mimetic dance that imitates the movement of a local fish called kamun
Linggisan: Janggayor metal claws amplify gestures portraying images of a bird in flight, searching for food, or simply enjoying the gift of life and freedom
Dancers: Ligaya Amilbangsa, Gemely Amar, Jimo Angeles, Levi Azarcon
Choreography: Ligaya F. Amilbangsa
PART 2: Pangalay at Tula
Magmula Giliw ng Ikaw Ay Pumanaw
Poem by Gregoria de Jesus (Lakambini ng Katipunan)
Music by Francis de Veyra, guitar by Kakoy Legaspi
Vocal rendition by Ice Seguerra
Performed and choreographed by Ligaya F. Amilbangsa
Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
Poem by Andres Bonifacio (Supremo ng Katipunan)
Music by Luis Salvador Jorque
Arrangement transcribed by Patricia Dizon
Rendered by Jose S Buenconsejo on clavinova
Vocal rendition by Rody Vera
Performed and choreographed by Chloe Bernardo and Peter Paul de Guzman
PART 3: Pangalay at Salinawit
Popular music and lyrics adapted to Filipino
Kulay Rosas
Salinawit by Jose F. Lacaba to the melody of La Vie en Rose
French lyrics and music by Edith Piaf and Louiguy
Vocal rendition by Cooky Chua with guitar by Edwin Vergara
Dancers: Louanne Mae Calipayan, Rose Ann Jasareno, Erika Cruz
Choreography: Ligaya F. Amilbangsa
Pusong Wagas
Salinawit by Jose F. Lacaba to the melody of Young at Heart
English lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and music by Johnny Richards
Vocal rendition by Cooky Chua with guitar by Edwin Vergara
Performed and choreographed by Chloe Bernardo and Peter de Guzman
Sayaw
Salinawit by Jose F. Lacaba to the melody of Quien Sera (Sway)
Music and Spanish lyrics by Rosas Rodriguez Pablo, with Traconis Molina for lyrics
Guitar by Noli Aurillo and vocal rendition by Myra Ruaro
Dancers: Nannette Matilac and Mannex Siapno
Choreography: Mannex Siapno
PART 4: Pangalay at Sari-saring Musika
A collection of regional and novelty songs and music of National Artists
Piyesta ng Mga Isda
Music and lyrics by Yoyoy Villame
Courtesy of Alpha Music Corporation
Dancers: Mannex Siapno, Louanne Mae Calipayan, Lyndie Literal
Choreography: Mannex Siapno
Sarung Banggi
Music by Potenciano Gregorio
Vocal rendition by Nora Aunor
Courtesy of Alpha Music Corporation
Dancers: Lyndie Literal and Louanne Mae Calipayan
Choreography: Lyndie Literal and Nannette Matilac
Usahay
Music by Gregorio Responso Labja
Vocal rendition by Dulce
Courtesy of Universal Records
Performed and choreographed by Nannette Matilac
Pandangguhan
Music by National Artist Antonio Molina
Rendition by Sylvia La Torre
Courtesy of Villar Records International
Dancers: Temay Padero and CB Garrucho
Choreography: Temay Padero and Ligaya Amilbangsa
Nahan
Music by National Artist Ernani Cuenco,
Lyrics by National Artist Levi Celerio
Piano by Manuel Maramba
Vocal rendition by Abdul Candao
Dancer: Rose Ann Jasareno
Choreography: Joy Ricote-Cruz
Pandanggo sa Ilaw
Music by National Artist Antonino Buenaventura
Music by Juan Silos, Jr. and Rondalla
Courtesy of Villar Records International
Performed and choreographed by Louanne Mae Calipayan
Da Coconut Nut
Music and lyrics by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab
Vocal rendition by Smokey Mountain
Courtesy of Mr. C
Dancers: Mannex Siapno, Nicole Clavel, and Milabel Cristobal
Choreography: Nannette Matilac
President’s March
Band music by National Artist Lucio San Pedro
Performed by the UP Symphonic Band
Dancers: AlunAlun Dance Circle
Choreography: Ligaya F. Amilbangsa
Online Poster / Teaser
While postproduction was being completed, the ADC circulated an online poster with teaser. This poster was also used in promoting the concert among prospective partner schools to be used in their synchronous or asynchronous curriculum.
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