The AlunAlun Dance Circle seeks to preserve Pangalay, a living link to traditional dance cultures in the Asian region where sensitivity is the key to learning and mastery of the many nuances of traditional dances. Pangalay has closest affinity to the Indian, Javanese, Thai, Burmese and Cambodian styles of classical dancing.

First Quarter Salvo

We have wished that 2014 would give us more energy, blessings and pleasant surprises. Indeed, the first quarter of 2014 became a hectic time for the AlunAlun Dance Circle. These activities include film showings with dance demonstrations at UP Diliman College of Anthropology and UP Institute of Islamic Studies, FEU Diliman and FEU Manila, and the Ateneo de Manila Univesity; pangalay dance workshops at UP Diliman; radio guestings and dicussions about pangalay; and performancee at the the Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampang and at the National Museum. We are looking forward to the rest of 2014 to be a fruitful and meaningful period as we begin to prepare for our new project in partnership with NCCA. to conduct more workshops, to initiate new projects, and to mount beautiful performances.
We have wished that 2014 would give us more energy, blessings and pleasant surprises. Indeed, the first quarter of 2014 became a hectic time for the AlunAlun Dance Circle.

These activities include film showings with dance demonstrations at UP Diliman College of Anthropology and UP Institute of Islamic Studies, FEU Diliman and FEU Manila, and the Ateneo de Manila Univesity; pangalay dance workshops at UP Diliman; radio guestings and dicussions about pangalay; and performancee at the the Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampang and at the National Museum.

We are looking forward to the rest of 2014 to be a fruitful and meaningful period as we begin to prepare for our new project in partnership with NCCA. to conduct more workshops, to initiate new projects, and to mount beautiful performances.

Pangalay Dance

Official Site of the AlunAlun Dance Circle

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Pangalay as Icon of Philippine Arts in Philippine Arts Festival 2013

 

The Philippine Arts Festival (PAF) opened with pangalay choreographies performed by the AlunAlun Dance Circle to celebrate Philippine Arts Month on 6 February 2013 at the Marikina Riverpark. The  PAF is sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The festival is under the supervision of NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. and executive director Emelita Almosara. The PAF Opening Program  is in cooperation with the City of Marikina and in cooperation with Damlay, Inc. of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina.

“Bituing Marikit” in pangalay choreography with Nannette Matilac, Rama Marcaida and the young dancers from various schools doing the Figure 8 posture and gesture.

The 2013 Philippine Arts Festival promoted icons of Philippine arts. The Opening Ceremony of the PAF began with a pangalay choreography to the choral rendition of “Bituing Marikit.” The pangalay choreography was led by Nannette Matilac featuring the use of the janggay or metal claws.  The janggay is also called saling kuku, sulakengkeng or salukengkeng in the Sulu and Tawitawi provinces. Rama Marcaida with young dancers from various schools also danced in a circular formation much like a sunset ritual.

 

This was followed by a dance suite on three songs by Yoyoy Villame whose iconic songs can also be considered as significant to Philippine folk and pop culture. The pangalay dance movement vocabulary was utilized in interpreting Villame’s “Granada”, “Buchikik” and “Nasaan Ka Darling?”. Despite the whacky rendition of these innovative songs, the pangalay choreography remained faithful to the tradition of pangalay dancing–slow, meditative and defiant of space-time,  relying on rhythm of the breath and not the musical beat.

“Granada” by Yoyoy Villame and ADC dancers Jimo Angeles and Levi Azarcon.

 Pangalay, also known as igal among the Sama and paunjalay among the Yakan, is an important cultural icon and symbol of our cultural heritage.  Aside from pangalay, other icons of Philippine arts  presented in the PAF are the kundiman and the balagtasan.

“Buchikik” by Yoyoy Villame and with ADC dancers: 8-year old Roni Matilac, Mannex Siapno (back turned to audience), artistic director Ligaya Amilbangsa sporting mask and puppets and Louanne Calipayan.

Photos by Levi Azarcon

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