• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Pangalay Dance

Official Site of the AlunAlun Dance Circle

  • Home
  • Pangalay Dance
  • The AlunAlun Dance Circle
  • Gallery
  • Blog
  • Contact ADC
You are here: Home / Archives for Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa

Lookback 2022: AlunAlun Dance Circle in California, USA 

May 24, 2025 by ADC Leave a Comment

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 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Threads

Filed Under: News Tagged With: ADC in USA, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, Pangalay ADC

Lookback 2018: The Pulse of Pangalay

May 24, 2025 by ADC Leave a Comment

Image from “Pulse of Pangalay,” CCP Main Theater, June 30 and July 1, 2018

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.

Image from “Pulse of Pangalay,” CCP Main Theater, June 30 and July 1, 2018

Ligaya Amilbangsa in “Pulse of Pangalay” June 30 and July 1, 2018 at the CCP Main Theater.

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. 

Image from “Pulse of Pangalay,” CCP Main Theater, June 30 and July 1, 2018

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. 

Image from “Pulse of Pangalay,” CCP Main Theater, June 30 and July 1, 2018

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa, Pangalay ADC

Footer

Dance Classes

Every Sunday
3pm – 6pm

Pangalay Dance Studio

No. 9 JP Rizal corner MH del Pilar Street,
Calumpang, Marikina City

Like Us on Facebook

  • The Abstract
  • News
  • Upcoming Performances
  • Program for the Paris Performances
  • International Dance Conference on Pangalay and Related Dance Cultures

Copyright © 2025