American dancer and choreographer Agnes George de Mille (1805-1993) once said, “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie.”
Her statement couldn’t be further from the truth.
As Filipinos, we grew up learning our culture through dance and music. Curriculum in schools includes the teaching of indigenous folk dances as early as pre-school. In fact, there isn’t one memory of my whole educational journey that is without the tinikling, Singkil or Pandanggo sa Ilaw, especially when my parents transferred me to Philippine Women’s University, the home of the world-famous Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company.
However, here in the United States, Fil-Ams, particularly the younger generation, being exposed to the Filipino culture may be at times limited to the food (that is normally served during family gatherings) or at times, a part of their language of dialect. Here in the Bay Area, Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble has created a pathway to celebrate Philippine culture through music and dance.
Showcasing the diversity of the Filipino culture onstage, Likha aims to bridge differences within the Fil-Am cultures, and educate Fil-Am youths and adults who do not have the opportunities to learn about their culture. They also seek to educate other cultures who have never seen or heard about the Philippines.
Likha was founded in 1992 by Rudi C. Soriano, who was a former dance soloist with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company and has also trained with Alice Reyes of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Company in Manila. In Paris, he studied under Lianne Dayde at the Paris Opera Ballet and trained with Rosella Hightower’s modern dance company in Cannes, France.
Soriano has choreographed numerous dance pieces for San Franciso State University’s Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor (PACE), UC Berkeley’s Pilipino American Association (PAA) and UC Santa Cruz’s Filipino Student Association (FSA). He also received awards like the Pamana Award for Folk Dance Arts Education in 2001, and the Outstanding Choreographer Award by World Arts West, the organizers of the acclaimed San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
On the world’s stage
At present, Likha is headed by the Edward Cruz, the organization’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. Also a former dancer, Cruz was eager to share Likha’s recent performance at Italy’s Folk Festival, Gente con Gente last August 1-9 in Lamezia Terme, Calabria, Italy. Twenty-one members traveled to Italy, along with costumes and instruments, and performed nightly, from 10pm to 12 midnight, alongside international groups from Belarus, Chile, Georgia and Hawaii. Cruz wrote that their participation “gives us the opportunity to share the beauty of Philippine culture,” and adding that this was Likha’s seventh international folk dance festival. In the past, they have been invited to perform in dance festivals in Malta, Brazil, Netherlands (twice) and France. In total, Internationally, Likha has already performed in 13 different shows. In the US, they have performed as far as Washington DC, Alaska and Texas.
Expanding the knowledge of Filipino culture and heritage
With the firm belief of educating not only Filipinos and Fil-Ams but other cultures as well, the organization has the Likha School of Philippine Dance where they offer dance classes for children and adults. Just recently, the school of dance had their recital last August 28th, with 17 participants. Several students are children of main dance company members, like Cruz’s kids Malaya (5 years old) and Isaac (7 years old).
Aside from learning pieces inspired from Maguindanao - Sagayan, Ifugao—Papayto, Benguet—Tarektek, Yakan—Dende, Kalapati and Polkabal, students also wore traditional costumes, which completed their immersion into Filipino culture
Likha also offers Adult Workshops in Oakland every Sunday. At present, they are gearing up for their 20th anniversary show in August 2012. Winter session for kids begins January 2012.
If you also want to add some Philippine artistry and culture to your events, Likha can work with you to present a cultural performance tailored to your needs.
As like many performing and visual arts organizations, Likha also depends on donations and support from the community. To make a donation, view workshop schedules or more information about Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble, please log on to www.Likha.org.
*Special thanks to Mr. Ed Cruz for his assistance in making this feature possible. Photos courtesy of Ed Cruz, Mae O. Reyes, Gary Cruz and Ennio
(www.asianjornal.com)
(Northern California Sept 16-22, 2011 SomethingFilipino pg.2)
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