FYP Cultural Ambassadors and Parangal Dance Company presents
Cultural Connections: A Weekend of Dance and Discovery
DAY 1: Pangalay Dance Workshop with Kim Requesto
Join us for a captivating workshop led by talented dancer and artist Kim Requesto, where you'll discover the grace and beauty of Pangalay ("Gift offering" or "temple of dance" in Sanskrit), the traditional ethnic "fingernail" dance of the Tausūg people of the Philippines and Malaysia. The dance is characterized by elegant hand and wrist movements that resemble the flowing movement of ocean waves, enhanced by long, metal fingernails worn by the dancers. Through Kim's expert guidance, you'll learn the intricate movements, cultural significance, and historical context of Pangalay, all while experiencing the joy of dance in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
This is a FREE event and open to anyone interested ! Please RSVP as space is limited.
*If you are also interested in Day 2, please RSVP here as well. Please note Day 1 and Day 2 will be held at different times and locations.*
This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
ABOUT KIM REQUESTO:
(She/They)
Kim Requesto is a Philippine born, Mission District raised Cultural Worker and Interdisciplinary Artist based in Unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory also recognized as San Francisco, California. She specializes in 35mm photography, filmmaking, and dance. At the heart of Kim Requesto’s diasporic work is the mantra, “Advocacy through art.” With an artistic foundation in Philippine folk dance, Requesto has dedicated herself to cultural expression and advocacy through movement, photography, and community outreach.
She navigates her artistic work with the goal of fostering tangible support for Pilipinxs abroad and Indigenous communities in the Philippines. Requesto conducts extensive field research to get a stronger understanding of regional cultures and livelihoods. Her research coincides with her work as a photographer, which allows her to visually share the realities of Philippine citizens. Through the publication of film photography books and the development of contemporary dance pieces, Requesto uses her artistic platforms to not only raise awareness, but to uplift the voices of marginalized communities both in the Philippines and the Philippine diaspora.
Requesto has been part of the Philippine Folk Dance community in San Francisco since 2005 and continues to perform with Parangal Dance Company as a Dance Master, Choreographer, and Principal Field Researcher. In 2016, the Alliance of California for Traditional Art awarded Requesto a grant to apprentice under Kalinga Cultural Master Artist Jenny Bawer Young and in 2018, she went to the province of Lubuagan, Kalinga to learn directly from renowned Kalinga cultural bearer, Cirilo “Sapi” Bawer. Through Parangal Dance Company, Requesto has been able to immerse and do research with various indigenous ethnolinguistic communities: Ata Manobo, Panay Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Ati Tarog, Yakan, Subanen, Ifugao, Kagan, Maguindano, Bugkalot, Tboli, Tau’sug, Sama, and Kalinga.
In 2020, Requesto was awarded the San Francisco Art’s Commission Individual Artist Grant to fund the creation of Yugto - three dance films that explore the future of Philippine Dance in the diaspora. This work was supported by and premiered as part of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center’s 24th annual United States Asian American Festival in May of 2021. Requesto is the Project Director and Producer for Pangalay Circle, a workshop series that hosted six workshops with six instructors from May 2022 to October 2022 and ended with a community celebration featuring performances by local groups and artists. Currently, under the Apprenticeship Program with ACTA, she is furthering her knowledge in Kalinga Traditional Arts by learning Kalinga Traditional music under Jenny Bawer Young.
Requesto aspires to create more spaces for community members to continue to learn and explore Philippine dance while providing opportunity to blend diasporic movement. She hopes to continue using her background in Philippine cultural arts to bring awareness and thoughtfulness to the realities of different communities through multimedia performances, productions, and community workshops.
ABOUT PARANGAL DANCE COMPANY:
Parangal Aspires to Inspire! We are a non-profit, Filipino Folk Dance & Music Company based in the unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory also known San Francisco in California, USA.
Parangal’s mission is to give tribute to Philippine heritage by preserving and promoting ethnic attire, music, and dance through research, workshops, and performances. We aim to serve as a bridge, inspiring and connecting Filipinos in diaspora to their roots to give them a sense of pride and identity, while educating diverse communities to foster awareness and appreciation of Philippine culture.
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