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FESTIVAL DANCERS

HIYAS PHILIPPINE DANCE COMPANY

NATIONAL/ETHNIC IDENTITY: Philippines
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Justin Mambaje
First Appearance in SF EDF: 2005
Website: www.hiyas.org

The Philippines is an archipelago—a scattering of many tiny islands between the Philippine and South China Seas in Southeast Asia. These islands have been inhabited by distinct indigenous groups for centuries. As well, Chinese, Indonesian and Spanish invaders journeying to these "little lands" have left behind imprints of their customs, art and language.

The Barrio Fiesta Suite is part of a larger work called Himig Sa Nayon, meaning, "country folk song" in Tagalog. It celebrates the endless beauty of the Philippine countryside and depicts the rural farmers gathering together in their barrios after a hard days work to amuse themselves and relax through impromptu dances. Over time, certain dances became town favorites and eventually became more structured.

Hiyas means "jewel." Treasuring the Philippine folk arts, the Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company was formed in 2003. In an era where authentic steps and movements are modernized or forgotten, the company strives to present Filipino folk dance in its most traditional form by gathering its repertoire from sources such as the Philippine Folk Dance Society and the Francisca Reyes-Aquino Foundation.

2005 PERFORMANCE

TITLE OF PIECE: BARRIO FIESTA SUITE
DANCE DIRECTOR: Jeff Bado
CHOREOGRAPHER: Justin Mambaje
DANCERS: Jennelyn Alipio, Ma Alipio, Mykenn Alipio, Leandra Almario, Justin Arce, Annie Bado, Cheyne Bado, Jeff Bado, Kyla Bado, Reyna Berania, Genieline Cristobal, Romeo Culla, Jeffrey Flores, Tim Heraldo, Krista Imus, Joses Magno, Ernest Maningding, Renee Maningding, Grace Pasibe, Kristynne Rulloda, Bryan Subijano, Janice Tembrina, Mica Vista, Roel Vista, Ryan Vista, Kristine Woldegiorgis
MUSICIANS: Anthony Cacao (laud), Justin Mambaje (bandurria), Teddy Veracruz (guitar)

Hiya's Barrio Fiesta Suite recreates a barrio scene of lively, daring and entertaining dances with onlookers cheering on. Although the dances presented in this suite come from different parts of the country, they share some common features. Pandanggo Sa Ilaw, meaning "dance with lights" comes from the west central island, Mindoro, first visited by the Spaniards in 1570. It is a Filipino adaptation of the Spanish Fandango where female dancers skillfully balance oil lamps on their heads and the back of their hands.

The suite continues with the Karatong, coming from the southwest island of Cuyo in the Palawan province. Often done at the annual parade of San Agustine, this dance celebrates the blossoming mango trees. Processing from church patio to town plaza, groups of ladies sway their bunga manga, representing mango flowers, while men strike their karatong, a bamboo percussion instrument.

Honored as the Philippine's national dance, Tinikling is a favorite in the east central island of Leyte. The dance imitates the movement of the long-legged tikling bird as it walks between grass stems, runs over tree branches, or dodges bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Skill is demonstrated in the dancing between fast-moving bamboo poles.