In celebration of its 80th anniversary, the UP Filipiniana Dance Group (UPFDG) held 鈥淭anglaw,鈥 a homecoming Christmas concert, on Dec. 11 at the University Theater.聽 The concert was part of the Yuletide activities in 草榴视频 that carried the theme, 鈥淒ingas 2015: Adhikaing Diliman, Adhikaing Bayan.鈥
Featuring the group鈥檚 past and current members and artistic directors, 鈥淭anglaw鈥 (Torch) were in two parts: 鈥淚ndayog ng Kapuluan鈥 (dances of the islands) and 鈥淭ala-arawan鈥 (diary).聽 鈥淭anglaw,鈥 in Filipino culture, serves as a guiding light leading people towards the right direction.
Indayog ng Kapuluan.聽 Showcasing dances from the islands of the Philippines, the concert began with a series of ethnic dances, 鈥淪ayaw at Galaw Etniko,鈥 showing the interactions among men, their daily life and their environment.
Accompanied by several gangsa, percussion instrument in Northern Philippines, the first set presented dances from the Cordillera Region: 鈥淧attong/Tadjok鈥 of Lubuangan, Kalinga, a fiery war dance in preparation for an attack; 鈥淪akuting鈥 of Mountain Province, an energetic mock fight between Ilocano Christians and non-Christians using sticks; 鈥淏aliwos鈥 of Abra, an enticing dance from ladies of the barrio; 鈥淭ayaw鈥 of Benguet, a passionate courtship dance, followed by 鈥淏endian,鈥 also from Benguet, a community celebration which ensued after an understanding between the couple was reached.
Next set was 鈥淚nim鈥 of Aborlan, Palawan or the 鈥淧agdidiwata,鈥 which is an elaborate 9-day harvest time ritual dance. The enchanting dance ritual is officiated by a 鈥渂abaylan鈥 (priestess or shaman) executing trance dances and is assisted by several 鈥渢aga-iring.鈥
The last set featured dances of the Maranaos, Maguindanawons, T鈥檅oli, Bagobos, Tausug and Badjao. Using several agong and kulintang, the set started with 鈥淜adal Taho鈥 of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, a dance during planting and harvesting season imitating the moves of the 鈥渢ahaw鈥 bird. It was followed by 鈥淟awin-lawin鈥 of Davao del Sur where male dancers mimicking the 鈥渓awin鈥 (hawk) use their tribal shields as wings and 鈥淜appa Malong Malong鈥 of Lanao del Norte which shows ways of how a malong, a tubular piece of cloth, can be used both by men and women.
There were also the 鈥淪agayan鈥 of Lanao del Norte, an intense dance depicting a warrior defending his master using a 鈥渒ampilan,鈥 a double-edged sword; 鈥淏inakbak鈥 of Bukidnon where male dancers imitate frogs hunted by men for food; and 鈥淧angalay Ha Pattong鈥 of Jolo, Sulu, a breathtaking dance of a couple atop bamboo poles imitating vintas, traditional boats of Southern Mindanao people, gliding across the Sulu Sea.
鈥淏aylehan,鈥 featured community dances held in large halls or open fields: 鈥淧andanggo sa Ilao鈥 of Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, a dance of grace and balance where performers have lighted candles on their heads and hands; 鈥淥asioas鈥 of Pangasinan, a celebratory dance after a good fish catch where lighted candles inside glasses where swirled on air using white cloths; 鈥淪ubli Sinala鈥 of Bauan, Batangas, an enthralling ceremonial worship dance in homage to the Holy Cross; 鈥淏inoyugan鈥 of Estanza, Pangasinan where female dancers balance 鈥渂anga鈥 (clay pots) used for fetching water or cooking rice, on their heads; and 鈥淢aglalatik鈥 of Bi帽an, Laguna, a war dance using coconut shells as weapons depicting a fight between Moros and Christians over 鈥渓atik,鈥 the residue left after boiling coconut milk.
The last dances for the set were 鈥淛ota Gumaque帽a鈥 of Gumaca, Quezon featuring stomping and elegant moves while using castanets and 鈥淧anderetas,鈥 Spanish word for tambourine, of Tanza, Iloilo, a Yuletide season dance where female dancers use tambourines while they swirl and turn.
鈥淗arana,鈥 (serenade) featured dances between men and women during courtship. First is 鈥淗abanera Botole帽a鈥 of Botolan, Zambales, a celebration dance during weddings, baptisms and other special occasions; next is 鈥淧utritos鈥 of Tayabas, Quezon, a festival dance with flirtatious and playful gestures; 鈥淪ayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko鈥 of Lingayen, Pangasinan a lively dance atop a bench; and 鈥淜umakaret鈥 of Dorungan, Pangasinan, a dance of a 鈥渒umakaret鈥 (wine maker) to impress the girl of his dreams.
Ending 鈥淚ndayog鈥 is 鈥淏inasuan鈥 of Bayambang, Pangasinan where impressive female dancers whirl and roll on floor while balancing wine-filled glasses atop their head and hands; 鈥淭inikling鈥 and 鈥淕rand Tinikling鈥 of Leyte where mesmerizing pairs of dancers use bamboo poles to depict the legendary grace and speed of the 鈥渢ikling鈥 bird as they play, chase each other, fly over trees or dodge bamboo traps set by farmers.
Guiding Lights. The concert also honored past UPFDG artistic directors: Prof. Francisca Reyes-Aquino (1935-1939); Prof. Cynthia Abad Santos (1956-1960), Prof. Lydia Evangelista-Buendia (1960-1964), Prof. Amelia Zafra (1964-1967), Prof. Teresa Miraflor Agsalud (1967-1973), Prof. Corazon Generoso I帽igo (1973-1990), Dr. Leilani Gonzalo (1990-1997) and Van Cornelius Manalo (1997-2014).聽 On hand to award plaques of appreciation were UPD Chancellor Michael L. Tan, CHK Dean Prof. Ronualdo U. Dizer and current UPFDG Artistic Director Peter Alcedo Jr.聽 Present at the awarding were I帽igo, Gonzalo and Manalo. Relatives of Reyes-Aquino, Santos and Zafra accepted their plaques on their behalf.
Tala-arawan.聽 The years of UPFDG through interpretive dances were reminisced in Tala-arawan. It opened with the song Binibini of Apo Hiking Society and Noel Cabangon where male dancers depicts how men court and impress women, followed by Ako Lang ang Nagmahal of Vincent de Jesus and Aiza Seguerra which tells of a woman鈥檚 unrequited love and a medley of Rey Valera songs 鈥 Sinasamba Kita, Tayong Dalawa, Huwag Mangamba, Malayo pa ang Umaga and Kung Tayo鈥檡 Magkakalayo 鈥 portraying different aspects of love.
Five alumni members then shared about their time with UPFDG followed by the songs 鈥淥n my Way Home鈥 by Pentatonix and Boyce Avenue portraying Filipinos returning to their homeland; 鈥淪hut Up and Dance鈥 of Walk the Moon started by Gonzalo, Manalo and Alcedo followed by alumni and current members featuring pop, funk and jazz moves; and a medley of Christmas songs 鈥 鈥淧asko na Naman,鈥 鈥淪imbang Gabi鈥 and 鈥淣oche Buena鈥 鈥 in celebration of the Season.
The concert ended with all the participants jubilantly dancing to the tune of 鈥淪umigla, Sumayaw鈥 as the dancers and musicians are recognized based on the dance sets they performed.
The UPFDG began in 1935 by Prof. Francisca Reyes-Aquino, first National Artist for Dance, and was initially named UP Folk Song and Dance Club. It is one of the official UPD performing groups is known both locally and internationally.
The concert was presented by the Office of the Chancellor of UP Diliman in cooperation with the UPD Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, UP Diliman Information Office, the UP Theater Complex and the College of Human Kinetics. It had two shows鈥搕he 3 p.m. matinee show was offered free to the public with invited high school students while the 7 p.m. gala show was ticketed to raise funds for UPFDG鈥檚 future performances.
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