FYP Cultural Ambassadors and Parangal Dance Company presents
Cultural Connections: A Weekend of Dance and Discovery
DAY 2: "Learning and UnLearning" and KapMaloMalong Dance Workshop with Eric Solano
Join us for an insightful presentation exploring the themes of "learning and unlearning" within the context of Filipino culture, ethnic identity, and folk dance. Under the knowledgeable guidance of Philippine dance and culture practitioner Eric Solano, this engaging session will delve into the complexities of Philippine identity and cultural traditions, challenging us to broaden our perspectives and question our assumptions. Through interactive discussions, multimedia presentations, and personal reflections, Eric will guide participants on a journey of discovery, responsibility, and integrity as they learn to uplift cultural sensitivity and weave indigenous Philippine dance, identity and heritage into our modern times.
Following the presentation, Eric will teach attendees some of the Malong dance from Meranao to showcase different ways of using the tubular cloth.
This is a FREE event and open to anyone interested! Please RSVP as space is limited.
*Day 1 Registrations can be found here. 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 ERIC SOLANO:
Eric Solano has been a Philippine dance and cultural practitioner since 1993. Eric co-founded Parangal, a Philippine dance company on Ramaytush Ohlone land (San Francisco) in 2008 and has been working with over 70 Culture Bearers from over 30 Indigenous Communities in the Philippines archipelago since 2005.
Eric’s work has been performed at SF Ethnic Dance Festival, Carnegie Hall, The White House, Merrie Monarch Festival Ho'ike and international Festivals in Las Vegas, North Carolina, and countries in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. Eric has produced seven home show productions for Parangal since its inception including twenty one world premieres. He has mentored and restaged Philippine folk dances for Philippine Culture Night (PCN) shows in most Universities in Northern California including the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University for 30 years. Eric serves as dance consultant for organizations in the USA, Canada, England, Australia and in the Philippines and bridges Filipino artists in the diaspora to Philippines indigenous communities. In 2021, Eric performed as solo artist in three Bulgarian festivals representing the Philippines garnering Best Authentic Performance at one of them.
Eric's aspiration is for Parangal to become one of the leading organizations advancing, preserving, and promoting Philippine culture and arts in mainstream America and beyond. Eric is an Adjunct Professor at USF's Performing Arts and Social Justice program teaching Philippine Dance and Culture. Parangal is the first Philippine-identifying and folk dance group recipient of NEFA’s National Dance Project Product Grant in 2022.
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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