Keeping our Tradition Alive

            It was quite a blessing to have a downpour of rain to our dry Utah soil over the weekend, but I had hoped it would have stopped, just for our show at the Living Tradition Festival in downtown Salt Lake.  It’s been awhile since I last danced and I humored myself, “Why does it have to rain on my first dance?” On the other hand, I had myself prepared for the prospect of dancing under the rain at the festival. I thought it would just be fun! Then I visualized all my eye make-up smearing down through my face – that’s not a good picture there. Fortunately, the weather quite saw the picture of horror in my mind and – the rain stopped! Am I spoiled or what?  It turned out to be just a perfect day for everyone!

              I was so grateful for the cooperative weather but everything wasn’t that perfect. I started off with some car problem on my way to our pre-show rehearsal. At the rehearsal itself, I had my mind all focused trying to catch up with new instructions and revisions. Pressure and stress overcame me that I had to simplify my role.  The rain already paved the way for a perfect weather, but here comes some impetuous strain. Let me say it that way.  As the rehearsal went on, I humored myself again – “I can always wink, look cute, and flirt a little on stage if I ever mess up.” That was the plan.            

             South Stage of the County building.  Our thirty-minute show started with the Singkil dance from the Muslim suite. Since I simplified my role, I got the chance to watch the first half of the presentation and I had a great view of the audience as well.  As the Singkil princess was being entered into the stage, I heard people from backstage gasping and wowing.  Wearing an elaborate sequined, figure-flattering gown, the princess took everyone’s breath away with her royalty candor and poise especially when she stepped gracefully in and out of the clicking bamboos, while twirling her elegant fans on both hands, all in harmony with the live beat of kulintang and kalatong (indigenous percussions). The rest of the entourage complemented the princess as they did their best rendition of their parts as the prince, umbrella maids, fan dancers, scarf dancers, malong dancers, and as male escorts and bamboo clickers. The whole piece was a picture of vibrancy, elegance and dynamics. The Muslim suite ended with the audience cheering in applause.  
  

Toni Rose Perkins as the Singkil Princess

         Now came the rural collection. I am pleased with how my plan materialized. I did improvise indeed. This time, I felt less stressed and I started having some fun. I realized it was not so bad after all. The audience’s warm applause was invigorating and I felt like I was just partying with friends. This is the best part of it all – dancing on stage just like partying with friends. The whole thematic composition of the rural suite was after all “pista sa nayon” or fiesta in the village. It really was a party on stage – we were swirling and turning with our colorful skirts, skipping and playing with our hats and other props, just plainly having some fun. It’s been awhile since I went back to the Philippines and that very scene was just like – home. 

Dancing Subli

  It was a busy day with some stresses along the way but all that forgotten after a well-celebrated performance. On the hindsight, I just thought I should embrace spontaneity more and just go with the flow. At times, we all need that, don’t we?

P    H    O    T    O    S

by Glen and Mylene Decker

Kumintang and Kalatong players

Behind the scene.  We are devoted volunteers, sacrificing our time away from our family and making arrangements with our jobs to accommodate rehearsals. We have a very talented and dedicated Creative Director, who not only choreographs our dances but also designs our costumes and props. And no, this is not his full-time job. He is an in-demand trauma nurse by profession. I don’t know how he does it but he does it – waking up as early as 2am to get our props ready, always on top of our rehearsal schedules, oversees the entire dance choreography, training volunteer dancers and he plays the percussions and dances the tinikling as well. And no, he’s not being paid to do all that. We all do this in the spirit of community service and to keep our Philippine Tradition alive in Utah.

Mike Canlas

            Please support our performing group, KATUTUBO Philippine Dance Ensemble of Utah. We need donations for costumes and props and other event charges and fees. We are performing at the Asian Festival in June and we have a launching production on August 17^th. For more details about our group, please visit: www.katutubodance.org. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay tayong lahat! 

The whole Cast of Katutubo Philippine Dance Ensemble of Utah