Pilipino Culture Night incorporates new style

Published: Friday, March 1, 1996

Interactive format places emphasis on culture rather than choreography

By Cheryl Klein

Daily Bruin Contributor

The room is crowded with students clad in sweats and T-shirts. A few demonstrate dance steps while their friends sit on a nearby table, swinging their legs in time to the music. Nearly all are laughing and talking.

But don't be fooled. Stage fright and stress from hard work abound.

They are rehearsing for Samahang's Pilipino Culture Night which will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom.

According to Joseph Pascual, assistant Pilipino Culture Night coordinator, this year will be much different from the recent past, focusing on an interactive approach rather than a theatrical one.

Previously, the dancers were handed the choreography which they performed on a stage in front of a silent and seated audience.

This year, Pascual says, "The performers participated heavily in the process, putting together the whole piece."

Roselle Gonzales, a performer and first-year microbiology and molecular genetics student, can attest to this. "It was pretty difficult," she says. "It took a lot of practice because we had to watch everybody's movements and keep with our own in terms of sequence."

"I think that the change in venue kind of scared a lot of people," says Pascual. He estimates that about 130 people are participating in the event, a much smaller figure than in other years.

"We feel like we're going into this blind because we really don't know what to expect," he says, mentioning that this format has not been used since the early '80s.

Nevertheless, he remains enthusiastic.

"The focus is more on the research aspect and the culture, not the dancing," Pascual says. He goes on to describe the somewhat unusual layout of Culture Night.

Students will perform traditional dances in the center of the room, leaving audience members free to roam around, listen to stories, examine costumes and visit various informational booths.

The booths are a new feature that Pascual hopes will educate people about everything from native foods, to the problems faced by Pilipino women.

"There are a lot of people who do not know about Pilipino culture, including a lot of Pilipinos themselves," says Pascual. "I hope the interactive element of this festival will help a lot."

One aspect of Pilipino culture that is frequently overlooked is the nonwestern, non-Christian influences. Though Culture Night will depict many Christian dances, it will also include Muslim choreography and a highland tribe dance called the Ingorots.

"Most of the Philippines is 90 percent Catholic," says Gonzales. "So when I got to see the Muslim dance ... it was a new experience for me. The way they move is much different than the other dances."

Gonzales will portray a "wind builder" in a nonwestern piece that was designed as a prayer to nature, asking for rain and a fruitful harvest.

Pascual hopes that other schools will observe the new approach and follow their lead.

"It's not really to show off your skills in dancing," Pascual emphasizes. "It's more to learn about your culture."

EVENT: Samahang's Pilipino Culture Night. March 2 from 4-8 p.m. and March 3 from 1-5 p.m. in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. For more info call (310)825-2727. Tickets are free and can be obtained from the Central Ticket Office.

PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin

Pilipino Culture Night dancers will perform some nonwestern pieces this year.

Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu