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We perform Philippine Cultural
dances, Hawaiian and Modern/Contemporary dances.
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Igorot
- The mountainous Central Cordillera region of
Northern Luzon is also known by the term "Philippine Skyland".
Inhabiting this rugged terrain are six ethno-linguistic
tribes known as the Ibaloy, Kankanay, Ifugao, Kalinga,
Apayao, and Bontoc. They prefer to be called by the
irrespective tribal names rather than the collective term
Igorot, which was first used by the Spaniards and later by
Christian lowlanders. These tribes were generally unfazed by
Spanish colonization. This homogeneous group is recognized
by their common socio-cultural traits. They hold common
religious beliefs, generally nature-related, and make
propitiatory offerings to anitos, or household gods. Among
these people of the Cordillera, dance continues to be an
expression of community life that animates the various
rituals and ceremonies. It serves for self-edification of
the performers and entertainment for the spectators. They
dance to appease their ancestors and gods to cure ailments,
to insure successful war-mating activities, or to ward off
bad luck or natural calamities. They dance to congregate and
socialize, for general welfare and recreation, and as an
outlet for repressed feeling. They also dance to insure
bountiful harvests, favorable weather, and to mark
milestones in the cycle of life.
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Maria
Clara Suite - The coming of the Spaniards in
the 16th century brought a new influence in Philippine life.
Dances in this suite are so named in honor of the legendary
Maria Clara, who remains a symbol of virtues and nobility of
the Filipino woman. Displaying a very strong Spanish
influence, these dances were, nonetheless, "Filipinized" as
evidenced of the use of Bamboo castanets and the abanico, or
Asian fan. Typical attire for these dances are the formal
Maria Clara dress and Barong Tagalog, an embroidered
long-sleeve shirt made of pineapple fiber.
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Muslim/Moro Suite
- Almost one million
Filipinos are Muslims who reside primarily in the southern
island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. By the end of
the 12th century, traders and settlers from the Malay
Peninsula and Borneo introduced Islamic faith to the
islands. The Muslims in the Philippines, also known as Moros,
were able to resist Spanish conquest. Thus, they preserved
the Islamic lifestyle that markedly differs from the
majority of the Philippine population. The ethno-linguistic
groups who are primarily considered Muslim are the Maranao,
Maguindanao, Samal, and Tausug. The dances are characterized
by vivid colors and rhythmic movements which reflect the
influence of Arabian and Indo-Malaysian cultures.
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Rural
Suite - Perhaps the best known and
closest to the Filipino heart are the dances from the rural
Christian lowlands: a country blessed with so much beauty.
To the Filipinos, these dances illustrate the fiesta spirit
and demonstrate a love of life. They express a joy in work,
a love for music, and pleasure in the simplicities of life.
Typical attire in the Rural Suite include the colorful
balintawak and patadyong skirts for the women, and camisa de
chino and colored trousers for the men.
- Modern/Contemporary Dances
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