Pangalay ADC

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

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.

^{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.

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.

ADC Participates in the Launch of the Department of Tourism’s EID’L FITR Food Festival, 8 May 2023, DOT Building in Makati, Metro Manila by Temay Padero

May 22, 2023 by ADC 1 Comment

ADC performance DOT Makati 8 May 2023 Eidl Fitr Food Festival

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in observance of the month of Ramadan, organized the Food Festival at its building along Buendia Avenue. Through the courtesy of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the AlunAlun Dance Circle (ADC) was invited to perform at the Opening of the DOT Food Festival on 8 May 2023 at the DOT office in Makati. The ADC dancers were Jimo Angeles [in-charge] and members, Lyndie Literal, Mannex Siapno, and Temay Padero.

Langka silat, a martial art of Southern Philippines, was performed by Jimo Angeles as opening dance.

DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar introduced the special guest of honor, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. The Secretary emphasized the vital role of Mindanao in defining the Filipino identity: “Mindanao has been very close to my heart and I recognize that, in the people of Mindanao, you hold the key to the Filipino identify. You are the gatekeepers of our body and soul of the Filipino and that is why it is very important for us in DOT to honor our heritage, promote our culture and allow the Filipino people to remember our past and to give them a way to the future, a future that includes Mindanao, a future that includes to allow tourism and a future that includes the rich, beautiful and diverse culture of the people of Mindanao and to herald the best of the best of the Filipino identity to the world.”

Special guests at first row: DOT ASec Christopher V. Morales, DOT ASec Reynaldo L Ching, DOT USec Ferdinand C. Jumapao, DOT Sec Christina Garcia-Frasco, DOT USec Myra Pax Valderrosa-Abubakar, DTI ASec Glenn G. Penaranda. Second row: Chef Jam Melchor, Chairman Khalil Pundoma [Brgy. 384 Quiapo, Manila ], Halal Board Member Hon Sultan Faizal Coyogan B. Bansao , Director DTI export marketing bureau Jhino B. Ilano;

Dr. Anas Mohammad Sarker of Hijama PH delivered the invocation (not in photo).