A JOURNEY TO THE FAR EAST

On July 15th of 2006, family and friends of the Filipino-American Community of Western North Carolina enjoyed the 12th Annual Gala Night.  A journey to the Far East was taken with a focus to the Philippine Islands, and the influences that have melded together to form the culture of what is called “The Pearl of the Orient.”  That night, it was our pleasure to display an array of songs and dances that have their roots in China, Java, and Spain.  

Our dance troupe presented the clapping rhythms that only bamboo can make; the soft strains of a Spanish guitar; the lively beat of a Spanish waltz; and, the mesmerizing beat of gongs and drums.  The over 250 spectators enjoyed the fierce and haughty pose of a Muslim Prince held in thrall by the seductive swaying of his Princess.  Those in attendance were also entertained with the shaking wrath of a Chinese dragon, and the high stepping of the tinikling where the dancers’ feet flash in and out of an ever-moving bamboo maze.     

Our journey began with an influence from China interpreted by our next generation of dancers in Sakuting.  Dressed in beautiful orange costumes, these teenagers demonstrated the quick steps and graceful striking of their bamboo sticks as they performed in rhythm to the stacatto notes of the music. 

We continued the program with the young children dancing Paru-parong Bukid, the butterfly dance.  These scene-stealers fluttered their wings about, captivating the hearts of everyone in attendance.

Our next two dances, Binasuan and La Jota Moncadena, displayed our strong ties to the European continent, namely Spain. 

Binasuan showcased our highly skilled dancers balanced glasses of wine.  The women delicately maneuvered and danced with glasses balanced on the top of their heads and the palms of their hands.  The men, not to be sold short, showed they had a few tricks up their sleeves as they balanced their glasses on their elbows and their foreheads. 

La Jota Moncadena displayed the lively stepping and the melodic sounds of the dancers castanets.  It is here that we see a distinct lineage to Spain.  The flirtatious and graceful moves makes La Jota one of our liveliest dances.

On to our National Dance, the time honored Tinikling, which imitates the tikling birds as they gracefully maneuver through the bamboo traps.  Keeping in rhythm is crutial, and our dancers and clappers alike, put on a wonderful display of precision, grace, and athleticism.

We move on to the influences of the Malay peninsula, and our neighboring countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Janggay and Singkil show our Java influences. 

Our girls did a wonderful job articulating and expressing this dance distinctive because of the metal fingernails worn on each hand. 

And finally, our finale number, Singkil.  Singkil takes its name from the bells worn by a Muslim Princess as she moves gracefully through a forest.  Followed by her loyal handmaiden, and protected by her prince, Singkil recounts the legend of the Maranao people of Mindanao.  Filled with a vibrant array of color and movement, our dance troupe took on the challenges of this legendary dance with great skill and elegance.