Bunga Arts Link Igal-Pansak Recital: Igal-igalan! Pansakan! Magsukol!

On May 29, 2015, Friday, the 2015 Igal Dance Workshop commenced with a colorful recital at GT-Toyota Asian Center in UP Diliman. Bunga Arts Link, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Asian Center and the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), celebrates its third year of breathing new life to the art of Igal-Pansak.

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IGAL AT PANSAK. Performances were artistically directed by MCM Santamaria.

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Professor Rolando Talampas, the Secretary of the Asian Center, officially opened the event. During his welcome remarks, he shone some light on the importance of the practice of Igal for the Sama people and its relevance to the Filipino culture.

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PROFESSOR ROLANDO TALAMPAS delivers the welcome remarks for the event.

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The program was then followed by the awarding of the Kulintang to Roman Von Arx, Executive Director of Sun for All Children Inc. (SFAC).

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MR. ROMAN VON ARX receives the Kulintang in behalf of SFAC.

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The Sama Community of San Andres also performed during the Igal-Pansak Recital. Different age groups exhibited different styles of Igal. The community had performers for Lugu, TitikSinamal, TitikTausug, Pamansak, Lolay, Pansakan Denda and Tubailasa. Each performer showed great mastery of the art of Igal and depicted this artistry not only through their movements but as well as their costumes.

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SAMA BANGINGI. (L-R) Marana Capala (Kulintang), Lapila Calvi (Tambul), Merita Adahani (Tungtung), Salasina Hunaini (Agung), Janila Latip (Tungtung), Hubita Alibasa (Agung)

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PAMANSAK. Performed by Radzmina Tanjili.

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PANSAKAN DENDA. Performed by Janna Haji.

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This was then followed by two performances by the workshop participants: Pansak ni Radzmina and Umaral Pansakan Lella. The students danced in complete coordination and interpreted the soul of Pansak with every flick and turn that they made.

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PANSAK NI RADZMINA. Performed by Nikki Arellano, Maria Filipina Estil, Catherine Rose Sumalde, Princess Sumalde, and Cynthia Toledo.

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UMARAL PANSAKAN LELLA. Performed by Tyron Casumpang, Julpi Tanjili, and Denzel Sarmiento.

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The final set of the show was a performance by Bunga Arts Link dancers. The female duo, Isay Navarro and Carla Loteria, danced Kabkab and Binungahan. Their performance required precise body movements, which they managed to do flawlessly.

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KABKAB. A type of Igal dance that uses wide fans.

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BINUNGAHAN. A type of Igal Dance that uses pointed props placed on the fingers.

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The recital ended with a contemporary Igal-igal improvisation where all the performers joined in. The dancers were exhibiting their own styles, movements and interpretations of Igal. Soon enough, even the guests were joining in!

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IGAL-IGALAN! PANSAKAN! Beautiful smiles as they freely danced their own versions of Igal and Pansak.

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COLORFUL BUNCH. Performers pose for a class photo after a tiring but incredibly successful event!

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It truly was a night to be remembered. Everyone, performers and visitors alike, enjoyed the evening while appreciating the Filipino cultural tradition of Igal and Pansak dance. We can’t wait for next year’s performance!

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IGAL-IGALAN! PANSAKAN! MAGSUKOL! Performers officially closed the curtains with a bow.

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Photos and article by Vikki Daet

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