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