Short Dance Films
Dahil Sa Kanila
Dance is an expressive space for Pilipinxs to connect with their culture and identity. While it can be a way to explore diversity and heritage, dance can also perpetuate restrictive gender roles within a community.
Using aspects of Kapagasik and Kadsagayan, Dahil Sa Kanila draws inspiration from dance traditions of Maguindanao province and captures movement that transcends the confines of masculinity and femininity. Asik has been misinterpreted as a slave dance for decades, but contrary to popular understanding, this is an ancient dance practice that has historically been performed for the pleasure of the Maguindanaon royal families. Often attributed to spirituality, Sagayan in its rawest form evokes the ancestral spirit of Prince Bantugan and is traditionally performed by Maguindanaon men. In very rare instances, if this masculine spirit connects with a woman, they are able to take part in the ritual dance practice.
In present-day Cotabato City, these gender norms are being put to the test by young generations of Sagayan dancers. Mentored by their respective elders, these young persons are dismantling antiquated expectations of gender performativity within their own communities.
Dahil Sa Kanila aims to expand this movement to the diaspora by giving space to gender nonconforming individuals to find representation within Philippine folk dance.
Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak
Named after the famous composition by Leopoldo Silos, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak (Because of A Flower) is an interpretive number that embodies the truth of affection through subtle glances of the eyes, quick turns of the head, and flicks of hesitation coupled with courage and longing. It is a love story that moves against the grain of classic Filipino folk dance.
From the height of accalimed Bayanihan Dance Company to the prestigious works of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, courtship dances have traditionally centered around patriarchal and heteronormative portrayls of love. These depictions of courtship often leave out critical narratives of fluidity within our communities.
As the Pilipinx diaspora moves to embrace LGBTQIA+ identities and perspectives against colonial rigidity, there comes a growing need for queer narratives to be celebrated across traditional artistic outlets. Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak (Because of A Flower) aims to deconstruct our traditional values and make space for LGBTQ+ representation in Philippine dance.
Dahil Sa Yo
Pangalay is a stately dance that embodies the flowing currents of the Sulu Sea. This short dance film reimagines our understanding of Pangalay by interweaving the pre-colonial dance form with a popular Philippine love song.
Dahil Sa Yo incorporates the guidance of Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa’s instructional approach called the Amilbangsa Method and the teachings of Ta’u Sug culture bearer Sitti Obeso.
The project pairs these traditional interpretations with contemporary movement in hopes of bridging our collective appreciation for Philippine art forms with the authentic experiences of diasporic Pilipinxs.
At the core of this body of work, the artist hopes to pay homage to loved ones who have passed on. As Dahil Sa Yo was conceptualized in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this project also aims to honor the lives lost and the frontliners that work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.