Before I started belly dance classes, I decided that I needed to learn a bit about my own cultural dance first. Though I was involved with the Filipino Student Association at my undergrad, I never made it in time to join the dance troupes. However, there was a one-semester class for Filipino Dance.
As the class fulfilled a graduation credit, two of my friends joined me in the class. Though it was a small group, it was quite an enjoyable class. I learned a lot about the regional differences in the dances, and how most of the traditional dances are choreographed for specific stories or purposes.
For example, as the music and dance reflects the culture, there are Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous dances. The Christian-style dances reflect the Spanish colonization, featuring a lot of 3/4 beat music and socializing dances. Muslim-style dances reflect the influences from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian cultures, and mainly tells stories. The Indigenous dances are more drum and kulintang-based, and are more ritualistic.
My favorite part about the dances was the focus on the hand and arm movements. While it was so many years ago, I remember the teacher talking about the importance of grace in the arm movements. However, there wasn't necessarily much room for improvisation.
Nonetheless, I'm suddenly struck with the idea of fusing traditional Filipino dance movements with Middle Eastern dance.
I feel that I have to brush up a bit on the movements in Filipino dance. I know there is a Fhilippine Dance Company in Boston, but it doesn't seem very easy to get in touch with someone who could point me in the direction of classes. I might try to go through Boston University's Filipino Student Association, perhaps use my powers as an alum - no matter how minuscule they might be.
In the meantime, here are some clips I found on YouTube:
Traditional Southern/Muslim Filipino Dance:
Tribal Filipino Fusion with Belly Dance Fusion:
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