{"id":225570,"date":"2025-11-17T14:32:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T00:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=225570"},"modified":"2025-11-17T14:32:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T00:32:35","slug":"uh-dance-filipino-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/17\/uh-dance-filipino-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> dance celebrates 50 years of Filipino heritage, identity"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Adachi
Anela Adachi, credit: Greg Noir Creative Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Querian
Ron Querian, credit: Greg Noir Creative Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new production is shining a light on the lives and journeys of Filipinos in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. “Dancing in the Diaspora<\/a>,” directed by J. Lorenzo Perillo, blends movement, music and history into a fast-moving tribute to identity and community. Performances run through November 23, on the Kennedy Theatre<\/a> Mainstage at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa.<\/p>\n

Perillo serves as co-director of the Center for Philippine Studies<\/a> (CPS<\/abbr>) and is also an associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa<\/a>. He created the show in honor of CPS<\/abbr>\u2019s 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\"Lee
Myumi Lee, credit: Greg Noir Creative Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“‘Dancing in the Diaspora’ delves into the interconnected lives of Filipinos maneuvering the waters of belonging and exclusion in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and beyond,” said Perillo.<\/p>\n

Stories through dance<\/h2>\n

The performance moves between hip-hop, street dance, contemporary, Filipino Indigenous styles and ʻori<\/span> Tahiti (Tahitian dance). Live kulintang (traditional Filipino gong instrument) and Tahitian music set the tone. The dances explore home, identity and the journey of carrying culture across oceans.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices range from $9 to $25<\/a> for the in-person production at Kennedy Theatre. The production features international and local collaborators such as Mary Chris (Mycs) Villoso, Von Ace Asilo, Angela Sebastian, Ron and Lydia Querian (House of Gongs), Manarii and Nalini Gauthier (Tahiti Mana), Irisgil Viacrusis, Michelle Bisbee, Tyler Kanemori and Evan McCarty.<\/p>\n

\"Hassell
Anjanae Hassell, credit: Greg Noir Creative Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most meaningful collaborative elements grew out of Villoso\u2019s artist residency at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa earlier this year, which included workshops with local high schools such as Maryknoll, Farrington and Waipahu. Building on that work, the production features Farrington High School students who have been rehearsing since September with their teacher Michelle Levine Aquino, a recent UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa graduate, to perform a piece rooted in Philippine games and street dance. Aquino also contributes an Ilokano chant that helps open the show.<\/p>\n

\"Balbuena
Stephanie Balbuena, credit: Greg Noir Creative Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“If you dig beneath the deep layers of colonization, you find the ways the people of the Pacific are connected through language, food, stories and beliefs,” said Nalini Gauthier. “Dance has been a steady vessel carrying me through this journey of rediscovery and empowerment.”<\/p>\n

The production also features a heartfelt dance film showcasing UH<\/abbr>\u2019s custodial staff.<\/p>\n

Perillo expressed that the staging is deeply connected to Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s social and cultural landscape.<\/p>\n

“Filipinos make up one-fourth of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s population, yet there is a clear lack of Filipino representation in education. Representation matters. It\u2019s critical in strengthening students\u2019 self-worth, identities and success.”<\/p>\n

For more on the production, visit the department\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The performance moves between hip-hop, street dance, contemporary, Filipino Indigenous styles and ʻori<\/span> Tahiti. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":225561,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[493,78,944,131,1466,1314,73,76,9],"class_list":["post-225570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-center-for-philippine-studies","tag-dance","tag-filipino","tag-kennedy-theatre","tag-manoa-enhancing-student-success","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-sustainability","tag-theatre-and-dance","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t