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鈥淭radition first before something new鈥�: IPAG founder, Amilbangsa, returns to MSU-IIT to teach Pangalay

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Oct 15 2024

In a historic full-circle moment, MSU-IIT welcomes home the MSU-IIT Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) founder and 2015 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa, for a week-long workshop called the Pangalay Workshop that opened yesterday, October 14, 2024. Joining her in the transmission of the basics and technicalities of the Pangalay dance are Ms. Nannette Matilac, and Mr. Jimo Angeles.

The workshop, already on its second day, is attended by MSU-IIT IPAG members, students, and people outside of the University. This workshop is deemed more significant as it is the first activity of the recently established Academy of the Arts in MSU-IIT (AAMI). 

 More than just a learning experience, this event also serves as a reconnection with MSU-IIT IPAG’s founder. In an interview, Amilbangsa expressed her optimism and happiness to be back at the University. 

 “I became more than willing to come over kasi, first of all, they are celebrating something big for IPAG, which I founded here. I organized it in 1978, a very historic moment,” she said.

 Amilbangsa added that another reason she came had to do with Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan’s vision of opening courses on creative arts. 

 “The focus of the Academy, as envisioned by the Chancellor, is to keep alive our heritage through dance, performing arts, visual arts, and other art forms. I’m so happy to be here, sharing this moment with these young dance pilgrims,” she said.

 A traditional dance form or style in the Southern Philippines, the Pangalay is a traditional dance style popular among the Tau Sug, Samal, Badjaw, or Sama Dilawt, and Jama Mapun of the Sulu Archipelago. It is a dance that makes use of basic postures and gestures that are observed in Sulu and Tawi-tawi traditional dances. It requires “full concentration, patience, perseverance, and commitment” said Amilbangsa. Her aim for this workshop is to make it easier for the students to learn this dance form. 

 Despite the challenges of teaching a traditional art form that demands precision and discipline, Amilbangsa remains optimistic about the potential of the current generation of learners, emphasizing the value of establishing the core and foundation of dance. She likened this approach to learning one’s ABCs before being able to create and write short stories.

“Tradition first before something new… they have to unlearn the mistakes from the past…learn the technique, the breathing, and the flexing of the knees,” she added. 

To preserve the traditional dance, Amilbangsa further reiterated the vitality of vocabulary– innovation must be rooted in a deep understanding of its origins.

“I'm interested in the vocabulary so that we can use it for new choreography for today's audiences; that is the only way to preserve the Pangalay, to let them learn the tradition and use it for new choreography.”

Amilbangsa is dedicated to passing on the knowledge and the pedagogy of Pangalay not only through workshops such as this but through her published books as well– Pangalay: Traditional Dances and Related Folk Artistic Expressions; Ukkil: Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago; Pangalay Dance: The Amilbangsa Instruction Method (AIM); and an upcoming book titled, Dance and Other Matters. 

 The workshop will culminate on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Amilbangsa’s visit will contribute to the flourishing of the guild she founded.  As IPAG continues to learn and relearn, it remains rooted in the values that sparked its inception—preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of Mindanaoan arts.

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