Latest news with #FilipinoCulture
SBS Australia
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Are we honouring or appropriating? The role of cultural permission in showcasing Indigenous Filipino dances overseas
Dixie Morante advocates for Filipino performers in Australia to take great care in presenting traditional Philippine tribal dances with respect and accuracy. This means seeking permission from cultural communities, following the correct movements, and honoring the traditional attire. She explains that the dance movements are more than just motions; they carry significant meanings tied to the history, environment, and spiritual beliefs of indigenous peoples like the Tausug, Maguindanaon, and Yakan. Her group participated in Filipino intensive dance workshops with the help of Parangal Dance Company from San Francisco, under the direction of Eric Solano, where they studied dances from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. SBS Filipino 03/06/2025 12:51 During Filipino community celebrations in Australia, audiences eagerly look forward to vibrant performances of traditional indigenous dances. One of the groups bringing these colourful cultural presentations to life is Hiraya Performing Artist Brisbane, in partnership with the Filipino Australian Brisbane Society Inc. Leading the group is Dixie Morante from Queensland, who also teaches and mentors young performers in preserving and presenting these traditional dances. Hindi kami basta-basta lang sumasayaw. Napaka-importante na you ask permission from the culture bearers. Dixie Morante, Cultural Dancer 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
Khaleej Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: 30,000 Filipinos celebrate Philippine Independence with cultural show, food
More than 30,000 Filipino expats gathered on Saturday at Hall 2 of the Dubai World Trade Centre for a vibrant celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day. The all-day event, running from 8am until 10pm, transformed the venue into a dynamic showcase of cultural pride and community spirit. From energy to night, the energy never waned, with attendees coming and going throughout the day, all echoing the same sentiment: 'The energy never faded.' From the moment doors opened, the venue buzzed with excitement. Families, friends, and individuals from all walks of life arrived draped in the colors of the Philippine flag, ready to immerse themselves in an authentic cultural experience. Attendees were treated to a feast for the senses. Food stalls lined the halls, offering freshly made Filipino classics, from adobo and lechon to icy treats like halo-halo. Around the venue, interactive exhibits showcased Filipino art and photography, while gaming corners and a lively main stage provided non-stop entertainment. Traditional and contemporary performances by local artists, including folk dances and modern musical acts, captivated audiences throughout the day. 'This event always feels like going back home,' said Em Serrano, a Filipino expat who has lived in the UAE for 11 years. Having attended the celebration for the past seven years, she turned heads this year with a striking dress she designed herself. 'This outfit was inspired by UAE heritage,' she shared. 'The red and black tones reminded me of the colours often seen during Ramadan. I asked a friend to make this specially for today, it represents the strong bond between the UAE and the Philippines.' The celebration was also attended by high-ranking dignitaries and Filipino diplomats, including Hans Leo J. Cacdac, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers. 'It's truly an honour to take part in this celebration of our Philippine Independence Day here in Dubai. It's heartwarming to see our kababayans, our fellow countrymen, celebrating this important day in a country that has welcomed and supported our people so warmly. The UAE has been good to us, and events like this show how deep our friendship runs," Cacdac expressed to the crowd. Rashed Al Tamimi, director of Emirates Loves, also praised the Filipino community and reflected on the broader cultural message of the celebration: 'This celebration marks the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence, and we are proud to host this event. The Filipino community is a vital and vibrant part of the UAE. Their culture, joy, and unity bring light to our society. As Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum says, 'Tolerance is not just a slogan we raise, but a way of life we live.' And today, we live that value.' Historic friendship Beyond the festivities, the event stood as a testament to the enduring UAE-Philippines friendship. With diplomatic ties officially established in 1974, the bond between the two nations has continued to grow, anchored by shared values and mutual respect. With hundreds of thousands of Filipinos contributing to vital sectors such as healthcare, education, engineering, and retail, their role in the UAE's development is both significant and deeply appreciated. The celebration is homage to the June 12, 1898 declaration of Philippine independence after 333 years of Spanish rule. For many, the gathering was more than a national commemoration — it was a heartfelt reminder of identity, pride, and belonging, thousands of miles away from home. As the festivities came to a close, with music echoing through the halls and Philippine flags waving high, one message stood out clearly: the Filipino spirit is not just present in the UAE — it is thriving.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Concerns about trauma beneath the surface 1 month after Lapu Lapu tragedy
Candles burn at a memorial for the Lapu Lapu Day block party tragedy in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/ The Canadian Press) For survivors of the Lapu Lapu festival attack on April 26, physical wounds are beginning to heal. But a month after an SUV plowed into a crowd at the celebration of Filipino culture in south Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens more, there are concerns mental anguish is going untreated. 'There's a crisis starting to emerge and it's just below the surface, and there's a sense that it'll erupt soon,' said RJ Aquino with Filipino BC. While funding has been made available to non-profits to provide mental health supports in the wake of the Lapu Lapu attack, Aquino says not enough people are taking advantage of the treatment. 'They don't want to take resources away from witnesses, and then witnesses don't want to take resources away from people in the hospital, then those folks don't want to take resources away from the families of those who died,' Aquino said. Christi-Ann Watkins, who is recovering from multiple broken bones and road rash over her entire body after being hit from behind by the speeding SUV at the festival, understands that sentiment. 'Mental health and Filipinos is quite new,' she said. 'We were always just taught someone has it worse than you. Mental health, you know, just buck up or just pray.' She is grateful she didn't witness the scenes of carnage like many at the festival. 'For me, the blessing in disguise – besides being alive – is that I didn't see anything. I got hit from behind and then I was on the ground, so all I saw was the sky,' she said. But Watkins' 11-year-old-son, who was also at the festival, did see what happened. 'At this point right now, his brain is protecting him. He doesn't remember anything,' she said. 'But there are other people that saw him that confirmed certain horrific things that he might have seen.' Watkins and Filipino BC are encouraging anyone who's having a difficult time coping after to seek help, whether they attended the festival or not. 'We're seeing it's difficult for many who are experiencing trauma to even realize just how much they've been impacted themselves,' Aquino said. 'We're hearing how they're still like, 'Oh, my friend hasn't left the house.' 'I'm afraid to go across the street until it's absolutely clear.' It really has done a number on people's sense of security and well-being.' He's worried if people continue to suffer in silence, there could be further tragedies. 'It's a dangerous and insidious thing when people start to withdraw, when people start to isolate themselves, not everyone may understand what they're going through, what they're feeling or have the tools to process that themselves,' Aquiino said. There are links to mental health supports connected to Lapu Lapu on
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
1 month after Vancouver tragedy, this Filipino folk dance group is channeling grief into community support
On the morning of April 26, Rachel Ambrosio and the dancers with her Filipino folk dance group were finishing up media interviews in anticipation of their performance at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in the afternoon. Some dancers arrived at the festival early to try some of the food and take in some of the other performances. Ambrosio, the president of PhilCAS of B.C., said the performance went great — they interacted with the audience, had some laughs and enjoyed the good weather. When the group left the Lapu-Lapu Day festivities at about 5:15 p.m. PT, the energy was still high as the sun shone down on a day of celebration. But later that evening, Ambrosio learned there had been an incident. Eleven people were killed and many others injured when the driver of a black SUV slammed into a crowd as the festival was winding down, just after 8 p.m. The driver, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. People across the world mourned with Vancouver's Filipino community in the days following what police described as the "darkest day in our city's history." And while Ambrosio, 36, and the PhilCAS dancers were certainly mourning, they also channelled their grief into community support. "A lot of our dancers really leaned into what's the call to action that we can do," Ambrosio said. "In tragedies, there's always an opportunity to sit back and hide, but they wanted to help." PhilCAS members Thea Hamberger and Sophie Ianonne-LeBlanc, both 18, got teachers and students at their Richmond, B.C., high school involved, and turned an annual spring showcase for arts students into a fundraising opportunity. The pair were slated to perform a Filipino folk dance at the showcase, but after the festival incident, Hamberger said it didn't feel right doing so without acknowledging what had happened. They suggested turning it into a fundraiser, which garnered enthusiastic support from staff and students. They raised more than $1,900 for United Way B.C., which has been collecting donations to provide assistance, counselling and trauma services to those affected. "It felt nice to be able to do something and make a difference," said Hamberger, who joined PhilCAS over a decade ago. "It felt really nice to be able to say that when [the tragedy] happened, we tried our best to do something, because we really cared." Ianonne-LeBlanc, who isn't Filipino herself but has been a dancer with PhilCAS for several years, said the tragedy taught her and the other members of PhilCAS how to support one another and the community at large. "In the beginning, it was really hard," she said. "But as the month has gone on … I feel like it's brought the community a lot closer to each other." On May 4, PhilCAS hosted a memorial vigil in Richmond, where the group is based. The memorial is still there, and they plan to move it to a more permanent location in the city. Ambrosio said it's hard to believe it's been a month since the tragedy at Lapu-Lapu Day. "The fastest month, definitely, of my life," she said. She only just visited the memorials at the festival site in South Vancouver last week. "I wasn't sure if I was ready to face that location," she said. But when she arrived, Ambrosio saw all the candles, the flowers and messages from the community. "It was all about love and all about praying for you and all about giving strength to each other. I thought that was really inspiring." The future of the Vancouver memorials remains uncertain, as city workers have started dismantling some of them. "It doesn't matter how long that memorial will stay, the people who mourned and grieved with us gave us enough strength to carry on," Ambrosio said. Filipino folk dancing is very traditional, Ambrosio said, and there are several styles from different regions, influenced by the different kinds of people who have landed in the Philippines over the centuries. PhilCAS also makes sure their costumes come from the Philippines to ensure authenticity. The group has all kinds of shows lined up for the summer, including weekly performances in June for Filipino Heritage Month, and a two-week stint in northern Spain dancing at various folk festivals. "These are performances that bring us to the community, and we're hoping to help people heal and give people some strength and smiles throughout the whole summer," Ambrosio said. As she dances, Hamberger said she watches people experience memories and connections through the performance. "Dancing is a celebration," she said. "It's just a beautiful feeling when you're on stage and you see people enjoying it so much, it makes you enjoy it as well." WATCH | PhilCAS explains different forms of Filipino folk dance:
CBC
26-05-2025
- CBC
1 month after Vancouver tragedy, this Filipino folk dance group is channeling grief into community support
On the morning of April 26, Rachel Ambrosio and the dancers with her Filipino folk dance group were finishing up media interviews in anticipation of their performance at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in the afternoon. Some dancers arrived at the festival early to try some of the food and take in some of the other performances. Ambrosio, the president of PhilCAS of B.C., said the performance went great — they interacted with the audience, had some laughs and enjoyed the good weather. When the group left the Lapu-Lapu Day festivities at about 5:15 p.m. PT, the energy was still high as the sun shone down on a day of celebration. But later that evening, Ambrosio learned there had been an incident. Eleven people were killed and many others injured when the driver of a black SUV slammed into a crowd as the festival was winding down, just after 8 p.m. The driver, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder. People across the world mourned with Vancouver's Filipino community in the days following what police described as the "darkest day in our city's history." And while Ambrosio, 36, and the PhilCAS dancers were certainly mourning, they also channelled their grief into community support. "A lot of our dancers really leaned into what's the call to action that we can do," Ambrosio said. "In tragedies, there's always an opportunity to sit back and hide, but they wanted to help." Fundraising PhilCAS members Thea Hamberger and Sophie Ianonne-LeBlanc, both 18, got teachers and students at their Richmond, B.C., high school involved, and turned an annual spring showcase for arts students into a fundraising opportunity. The pair were slated to perform a Filipino folk dance at the showcase, but after the festival incident, Hamberger said it didn't feel right doing so without acknowledging what had happened. They suggested turning it into a fundraiser, which garnered enthusiastic support from staff and students. They raised more than $1,900 for United Way B.C., which has been collecting donations to provide assistance, counselling and trauma services to those affected. "It felt nice to be able to do something and make a difference," said Hamberger, who joined PhilCAS over a decade ago. "It felt really nice to be able to say that when [the tragedy] happened, we tried our best to do something, because we really cared." Ianonne-LeBlanc, who isn't Filipino herself but has been a dancer with PhilCAS for several years, said the tragedy taught her and the other members of PhilCAS how to support one another and the community at large. "In the beginning, it was really hard," she said. "But as the month has gone on … I feel like it's brought the community a lot closer to each other." Memorial On May 4, PhilCAS hosted a memorial vigil in Richmond, where the group is based. The memorial is still there, and they plan to move it to a more permanent location in the city. Ambrosio said it's hard to believe it's been a month since the tragedy at Lapu-Lapu Day. "The fastest month, definitely, of my life," she said. She only just visited the memorials at the festival site in South Vancouver last week. "I wasn't sure if I was ready to face that location," she said. But when she arrived, Ambrosio saw all the candles, the flowers and messages from the community. "It was all about love and all about praying for you and all about giving strength to each other. I thought that was really inspiring." The future of the Vancouver memorials remains uncertain, as city workers have started dismantling some of them. "It doesn't matter how long that memorial will stay, the people who mourned and grieved with us gave us enough strength to carry on," Ambrosio said. Healing through dance Filipino folk dancing is very traditional, Ambrosio said, and there are several styles from different regions, influenced by the different kinds of people who have landed in the Philippines over the centuries. PhilCAS also makes sure their costumes come from the Philippines to ensure authenticity. The group has all kinds of shows lined up for the summer, including weekly performances in June for Filipino Heritage Month, and a two-week stint in northern Spain dancing at various folk festivals. "These are performances that bring us to the community, and we're hoping to help people heal and give people some strength and smiles throughout the whole summer," Ambrosio said. As she dances, Hamberger said she watches people experience memories and connections through the performance. "Dancing is a celebration," she said. "It's just a beautiful feeling when you're on stage and you see people enjoying it so much, it makes you enjoy it as well."
