Training the Trainers

November 8, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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Kutitap by Becky PagsibinganA group of local university students recently attended the workshop that I conducted at the Embassy of the Philippines. They were from George Washington University, George Mason University, Catholic University and University of Maryland. It gave me so much pleasure meeting with and teaching these young university students who have shown much enthusiasm and interest to learn more about the culture and heritage of their country of origin. This workshop, Philippine Folk Dance: Training the Trainers, was actually the second one that I have conducted at the embassy. It was Cultural Consul Rico Fos who coordinated and had made the arrangement for the Philippine Embassy to host this recent event.

The participants are leaders in the cultural groups of their respective schools who have volunteered to foster and propagate Philippine folk dancing among other activities. I salute them! They are the future proponent of this piece of Philippine culture and heritage which I loved the most. Their interest and enthusiasm had matched with my own area of interest and experience plus an appropriate educational background (a B.S. degree in Physical Education, specializing in dance and a Masters degree in teaching). Being in the United States for about twenty five years now, I found myself involved in community activities taking on every opportunity to showcase Philippine folk dances and educate the others about them. This workshop was a wonderful opportunity.

The Workshop
My main objective was to inspire more and give assistance to the trainers to teach Philippine folk dances properly and appropriately in order to preserve the authenticity of the dance steps and movements. The theoretical part of the workshop gave these leaders better understanding of what they are teaching and the practical part helped them develop or improve their teaching skills. It was challenging to impart all these in one day. I have planned to hold this activity in three meetings, but there was a scheduling problem, hence, it became a capsulated version. I found the participants to have limited knowledge of the map of the Philippines, but at least they recognized the three big Islands. They knew where their parents were from, but are not able to locate the place on the map. I encouraged them to visit the library of the embassy where reading materials are available.

Their interest increased and had asked questions when I touched on the history of Philippine culture. I could only give them a brief version focusing on our topic - the fact that different cultures influenced our people and why different types of costumes are used for different dances, the Maria Clara, the Muslim costume, Baro at Saya, Barong Tagalog among others and why we have to show different expressions when performing various dances.

The meat of the workshop was on preservation of the authenticity of the Philippine Folk dances. This was important to me. In many cases here in the United States, the dances were learned from two to three layers of persons who have had no background or had limited training to teach. As a result, the steps and movements were not correctly executed and some participants were not properly attired. At times, the dances became modernized and altered, if not actually distorted. The authenticity is thus, lost.

An example of an inappropriate costume that Ive seen was a Tinikling dance where the female dancer wore a white sando or a sleeveless mens undershirt with a very short skirt, jumping in and out of the bamboo poles. I squirmed on my seat and could not look at the sight of the female dancers well-endowed torso while she jumped without care. I just thought that the interest and enthusiasm of these students should be cultivated and with proper guidance, they could become better prepared to perform and teach our folk dances.

I was fortunate enough to have attended back in the Philippines, the workshops and lectures conducted by the late Mrs. Francisca Aquino, the author of the series of books on Philippine Folk Dances. She said that our folk dances should be preserved because with their background of folk costumes, customs, art, music and legend, they represent a vital picture of our national life and culture. It is therefore essential that for the real meaning and value of these dances, they be performed in their original form. I see the value of this strong belief of Mrs. Aquino and I am in total agreement. But, at the same time, I realize that being in another country our resources are limited in terms of materials and resource persons. Come with my negative observations, is an appreciation for my fellow Filipino Americans who have the enthusiasm and interest to perform and showcase our Philippine folk dances. I truly admire them. And because of this sentiment, my passion for this cultural activity continues through teaching and performing.

Back to the workshop: In the afternoon, I taught the class a Maria Clara dance injecting lessons on methods and techniques in teaching in between my instructions on the dance steps and movements involved. I called some of them to lead the class at times. They were excited to do this. Later in the afternoon, these young leaders were encouraged to form an alliance and continue to expand their cultural endeavors. The workshop ended with the distribution of certificates prepared by Consul Fos and signed by Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa. The workshop was fruitful for all of us involved.
Consul Fos had informed me that there was an invitation from the Richmond area for me to conduct the same workshop.

THE COTILLION
The honoree, Karen Lee Herrera Phumisithikul wore a beautiful green and gold silk Thai gown. Though her attire was exotic looking complete with a glimmering small gold tiara, necklace and arm jewelry, she maintained her youthful appearance. This was not a typical debutantes gown. However, during the cotillion dance, she changed her attire to a ball gown transforming her to a more Cinderella-like debutante.

The ball was hosted by Mr. Komol and Mrs. Bernadette Herrera Pumisithikul, a wonderful combination of Thai and Filipina parents. It was agreed that on this important occasion, their daughter would carry something of her fathers lineage by wearing the traditional Thai costume. Karen actually wore this gown at the beginning of the party during the reception and entrance for dinner. Then after dinner and at the start of the cotillion ensemble, she switched her Thai outfit to a beautiful sea-mist green ball gown embellished with lace and bead work and walked with her parents around the dance floor as she was formally presented to society. It was a nice picture of proud parents and a smiling beautiful daughter.

The Family
During my dance sessions with the cotillion entourage, I have seen and observed the interaction between the parents and their daughter. They were so respectful of each other exhibiting subdued and most pleasant demeanor. The father was cool and very kind but with inner strength and the mother was firm but always with soft approach. When confronted with challenging situations during the preparation, they consulted with each other and always came up with happy results. Bernadette was clearly the organizer, but had consulted with me on various things needed for the ball to make sure nothing was amiss - the gown, ballroom and dance floor, video, cake, photographer, music, center pieces, decoration and program. I really enjoyed working with her, the pleasure was mine. Komol stayed in the background, but was a great support to his wife and daughter. I salute this family which included the younger daughter, Kathlyn, who led her sisters Cotillion Court of Honor.

The Ball
The ballroom was elegantly decorated with white and light pink tulle and well chosen flowers of the same color scheme. The cake was three tier tall surrounded with three smaller ones artfully arranged on the table. It was baked by my chef friend, Evelyn Bunoan, whose Manila Mails column is next to mine. The pretty young ladies in the cotillion entourage wore light pink satin gowns, a delightful contrast to the sea-mist green gown of the debutante. The handsome young gentlemen were in black tuxedo with pink cummerbund while Karens escort, A.V., matched the color of her attire. The Court of Honor was a picture of youth with polished look and manners. Even the parents of the debutante did not escape my attention they were a handsome couple. The father was in black tuxedo, but the mother surprised me with her total new look. Her transformation was great. That evening she wore an elegant strapless gown with a beautiful up-swept hairdo and appropriate make-up. She told me it was uncharacteristic of her to wear a revealing attire and make-up, but she did it for her daughter.

The Dance
Karen looked demure and beautiful as she glided on the dance floor. The photographer and video man both had enjoyed capturing the smile on her face. The dancers did a wonderful job. They were inspired with the numerous applauses they received from the audience. They performed with precision and grace and the half-a-dozen formations were perfect. This group was one of the best cotillion groups I have choreographed and directed.

I truly appreciated their behavior during rehearsals. They were attentive and listened carefully while I was giving them instructions. I liked them a lot. On a scale of 10, I gave them a 9 for being fast learners, but during the actual performance, I gave them a 10.

This formal event was a wonderful experience for all debutante, parents, participants and guests. The pleasure was mine.
Email: pagsibiganr@aol.com

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