Friday, July 15, 2005
Lumad culture in the US
By Roy C. Gaane
From the U.S.
LOS Angeles, California -- Talaandig, Subanon, Higaonon, Maranao, Mamanwa, Matigsalog, and Yakan tribes all from Mindanao came to life as they danced around the lake, not in Mindanao but in Cerritos Regional Park, California, USA.
Dressed in colorful authentic costumes, members of various organizations affiliated with FMASC (Federation of Mindanao Associations of Southern California) played the roles of the 7 tribes.
It was a Mindanao cultural presentation, a first of its kind in the United States.
We could not have done it without the masterful choreography by SKCAFI (Samahang Kamabayoka Cultural and Arts, Inc.), a nonprofit cultural group affiliated with the Mindanao Federation.
More than 400 costumes, ethnic musical instruments, props and crafts were flown in from Mindanao accompanied by 13 choreographers, dancers and musicians.
The event celebrated the 4th Anniversary of FMASC and closed the month long celebration of Philippine Independence.
The twin celebration was aptly called "Mindanao Tribu Festival".
Cerritos Regional Park is located in the city of Cerritos, one of the eastern suburban cities of Los Angeles County. The city has a large Filipino population serviced by reputable Filipino restaurants and business establishments.
The great majority of the performers are residents of California with origins from Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and del Sur.
But the 13 performing artists mostly came from Cagayan de Oro just for the event.
Edgar Lopez, the Executive Director and founder of SKCAFI ably assisted by his wife, Suzette, was responsible for bringing in the performing artists.
The performing artists who flew in from the Philippines were Felix and Enelita Tapongot, Ferrioren and Rowena Bontor, Elmer Carlo Cortez, Aimee Maglasang, Jieras Yuzon, Emman Mallorca, Raymund Maglasang, Clareve Banate Zahra Mallorca, Eddie Michael Casuga II, and Basilidas V. Pilapil Jr. They were joined by resident artists Joshua Maglasang, Dick Yuzon, Michelle Maglasang.
One of the spectators of the Mindanao Tribu Festival was a certain Ben Baldoza. He wrote: "Your event was so educational and inspirational (especially to me who knows very little about Mindanao culture). I have never seen authentic and very colorful costumes from the South. I also have great admiration for your pride of your culture and the hard work each had contributed for the success of this event. Diana, being born here, was so thrilled with the beadworks and shells. During lunch, everybody at the table was so nice they even shared food with us. They chatted with us and most of the time they talked to us in your dialect. They thought we were kidding when we told them Sylvia is from Pangasinan, Lee is an Igorot and I am a Mangyan from Mindoro. Too bad, Chris had to go home early, he forgot his pills, and Diana had to do her internship job in L.A. The remaining three of us all had a so much fun we forgot about the time, we had to rush back home to change clothes as we had a wedding to go to that same afternoon in Arcadia... More power to the Mindanao people!!! You all have a great culture!!!"
Cyril Cabison, a one-time resident of Cagayan de Oro wrote, "I have not been to Mindanao for 40 years. I came to the festival like a lost tribe-aha man ko? Sa Jolo? Bukidnon? Zamboanga? O Kagayanon? At the festival, I learned the rhythm of hitting the drums and the gongs. Joining the tribes with the colorful costumes, dances and songs had the effect of stirring up my spirits, touching my soul--I came out more alive and identified and stay connected to my Mindanao roots! I even ended buying the Talaandig costume and accessories."
A former Bayanihan dancer, Joey Omila had this to say, "All I can say is WOW! Your event looked great! Costumes as well as the people all looked so authentic! I love the name of the festival animal and whoever had this concept and idea, I bow my head with great appreciation. I could recognize many of our dances with Bayanihan... FANTASTIC IDEA and great looking tribes of Mindanao! Keep up the good work... "d work..."
(July 15, 2005 issue)
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