Ontario Trillium Foundation - Folklorico Filipino Canada

Folklorico Filipino (Canada)
is a proud recipient of a grant from the
Ontario Trillium Foundation
A Brief History
In 1973, a group of young, newly arrived Filipino immigrants met and soon
began to socialize with Filipinos living in Toronto. From this small social club
came the desire to form a dance group, showcase the cultures and traditions of
the Filipinos. In 1974, the Province of Ontario issued a letter Patent
incorporating
Folklorico
Filipino
(Canada) Dance Company.
Founding members of the company
were either former dancers,
professional entertainers or artists. In
retrospect, the merging of the different
creative backgrounds of each
individual made Folklorico unique and
diverse. The group that had taken form
was innovative, experimenting and
presenting Philippine culture in a
nontraditional style. Drama was also
incorporated into the different folk
dances. Original music scores resulted
from mixing traditional sounds with
new arrangements.
The innovative style of Folklorico
Filipino, modernizing the folk dances of
the Philippine cultures, has made them
distinct and recognized Worldwide.
For over 31 years, Folklorico has
delighted their audience with enjoyable
and exciting programs, all can be
thrilled by.
Our Objective
In line with the objectives of Canadian Multiculturalism, Folklorico Filipino
(Canada) aims for the development and promotion of the Filipino identity
through performing arts by:
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Depicting Philippine culture through music, song, dance, and drama
Training interested Filipinos of all ages in Philippine folk music, dance,
and drama
Showing the public Philippine customs, traditions, and history through
folk song, dance and drama
Encouraging Filipinos and other Canadians to discover and develop
their talents and abilities and to develop their potential in the
performing arts.
As a cultural group, Folklorico proudly operates as a non-profit organization
working from voluntary donations and contributions through sponsorship and
performance fees. Dancers, choreographers and administrators work without
financial remuneration. Volunteering is rewarded by the fulfilment achieved
through the sharing of filipino culture and heritage. Folklorico has been
involved with the social and cultural affairs of many organizations, schools,
colleges, and governments. Since its founding in 1974, the commitment to
promote the Filipino identity within the Canadian mosaic remains unchanged.
The Different Traditional Dances of the Philippines
There are many regions found in the Philippines. You have regions in high
mountainous places, others low by the sea, some defined by its religious state,
and others defined by social influences. You will find that each one has their
own unique set of traditions, fashion, way of life, their own culture. With this,
each regions heritage shines visibly through song, tempo, fashion, style, and
through dance.
Presented before you are some of different types of dances performed by
Folklorico Filipino.
Philippine Skyland
The mountainous Central Cordilera region of Northern Luzon is also known
by the term Philippine Skyland. Inhabiting the rugged terrain are six ethnolinguistic tribes known as the Ibaloy, Kankanay, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao,
and Bontoc. They prefer to be called by their respective tribal names rather
than
the
collective term
Igorot, which is
used by the
Spaniards and
later Christian
lowlanders.
Indigenous
tribes preserve
their customs,
lore and tribal
identity, their
dances
reflecting their
unaffected way
of life. Gongs and other percussion instruments are featured in these dances
which portray primitive, religious and secular rituals.
El Salon Filipino
The Philippines were under Spanish
rule for 376 years. The strong
Spanish heritage that resulted,
adapted and blended into the
Philippine environment. Displaying a
very strong Spanish influence, the
dances were nonetheless, filipinized
as evidenced by the use of bamboo
castanets and the abanico, or Asian
fan. Typical attire for these dances
are the formal Maria Clara dress and
barong tagalog, an embroidered long-sleeved shirt made of pineapple fibres.
Muslim Philippines
In the southern part of the Philippines, on the large
island of Mindanao and the adjacent Sulu
Archipelago live about 6 million Filipinos of the
Islamic religion. These Muslim Filipinos who
embraced Mohammedanism as early as the 14th
century have successfully resisted attempts at
Christianization. They differ markedly in their
customs and culture from the balance of the
Philippine population. Music, dance, and costume
provide an accurate mirror of Muslim Philippine life. Vivid colours and rhythmic movements
reflect the influence of the Arabian and indo-malayan cultures. The ethno-linguistic groups who
are primarily considered Muslim are the Maranao, Maguindanao, Samal and Tausug.
Mindanao Province
Pockets of cultural minorities live in the style of their forebears in the hills and mountains
throughout the Philippine Archipelago. The hillside and interior of Mindanao in the southern
part of the Philippines are inhabited by non-Christian Filipinos whose cultures are animistic
beliefs predate both Islam and
Christianity. Dance is a basic part of
life, still performed essentially for
the gods. As in the most ancient
cultures, unlike those of the Muslim
tribes in their midst, their dances
are
closely
intertwined
with
ceremonials, rituals, sacrifice and
life.
Rural Philippines
Life in the rural Philippines today, as in the past,
is simple and pleasant. In a country abundantly
blessed by nature, there is much to celebrate in
dance, song and story.
Dances of the rice growing countryside express
peoples joy in work, love for music and gaiety;
thanksgiving for a good harvest or simply a song
for a pretty day. This portion of Folkloricos program will feature the national dance of the
Philippines, Tinikling, or the Bamboo dance, which derives its name from the bird Tikling. The
dance imitates the birds movement as it hops from one rice paddy to another.
Some of the Multicultural Festivals that we have participated in:
Ontario:
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CARABRAM, Brampton (Winner of Best Entertainment award for three
consecutive years)
Philippine Independence Day, Sky Dome, Queens Park, Toronto
Philippine National Day, Mississauga
Philippine Cultural Show, Newmarket, Nathan Philips Square,
Toronto
Philippine Festival, St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto
ASEAN Festival, harbourfront, Toronto
Festival of Arts and Culture, Ontario Place, Toronto
WOMAD, Harbourfront, Toronto
Chinese Cultural Show, Toronto
ASTEC Conference, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto
Salute to Southeast Asia, The Hudson Bay Company, Toronto
First Asian Festival, NorthYork
World of Asia, Harbourfront, Toronto
International Media Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Toronto
Dragon Boat Festival, Centre Island, Toronto
Pista Sa Nayon, Toronto
Canada Day Celebration, Sudbury, Toronto
Folk Arts Festival, Kingston
World Marketing Alliance, Etobicoke
Toronto Winterfest, Nathan Phillips Square
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Canada and International:
Canada
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World Exposition 1986, Vancouver, B.C,
Philippine Cultural Presentation, St. Johns, Newfoundland
MANS International Festival 1999 & 2005, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canadian National Exhibition CNE, Toronto , Ontario
USA
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Ethnic Heritage Festival, Buffalo, New York
International Festival, Syracuse, New York
ASEAN Festival, Amherst, New York
Rhythm Of The World, Epcot Center/Disneyworld 1996, Orlando, Florida
Poland
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International Spotkania Folklorystyczne Lublin
International Folkdance Festival Bielsko-Biala
International Spotkania z Folklorem “Interfolk
Ukraine
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International Folk Festival Yalta
France
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International Festival of the Pyrenees
Oloron International Folk Festival
Spain
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Festival de Jaca - Gijon
Mexico
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International Folklore Festival in Monterrey
Fiestas de Santa Lucia
Estonia
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XIV Baltica International Folklore Festival
VII Voru International Folk Festival
Portugal
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International Festival of Folklore in Terras da Feira
Italy
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Festival del Minturno
Cuori Festival "Giovani e Folklore", Tarcento
International Folklore Festival, Gorizia
Company Productions from 1975 to present
2 Hour Dance-Drama Presentations:
Lumnay
Halina
Dularawan
Agimat
Voyage
Pag-sibol
Pagdiriwang
Simpatica
Performance Requirements:
Stage Size and Type
Minimum of 24 feet by 32 feet,
preferably of wood surface
Change Room
Two adjacent rooms very
close to stage area with
adequate lighting, mirrors, and
costume racks.
Microphone
Five microphones when
performing with musicians,
one microphone when
performing without musicians.
Performance Rates and Fees
Folklorico requires payment of
travel and accommodation
expenses. A fifty percent
(50%) deposit is required upon
confirmation of the
performance. The deposit is
nonrefundable if notice of
cancellation is received less
than thirty (30) days prior to
performance date.
*Please note that Folklorico is flexible and will consider bookings without the
above listed requirements.
We welcome outdoor performances despite the usual lack of facilities.
For Bookings Please Contact the Following:
Bobby Gabat
(416) 903-4546
(416) 425-9144
[email protected], [email protected]
Chantelle Grant
(416) 995-9278
[email protected], [email protected]
Wendy Arena
(416) 281-2408
[email protected]
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