CELEBRITY WORLD PH
By Crispina M. Belen
CCP Launches 'Tara, Laro Ta(y)o' to Celebrate Filipino Dance and Games
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) introduces "Tara, Laro Ta(y)o," a significant initiative celebrating Filipino dance and arts. This project, featuring six dance films, aims to preserve Filipino heritage and showcase the rich diversity of Philippine dance.
The films highlight the fusion of traditional games' joy with Philippine indigenous dances' vibrancy. The CCP's goal is to pass on these folk and indigenous arts to younger generations.
The dances, inspired by traditional games from various Philippine indigenous communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, include: "Mali," a Dumagat dance; "Koirdas di la Bordon" from Cuyo, Palawan; "Sipit-sipit" of Eastern Samar; "Kikembe" from Cuartero, Capiz; "Kasipa sa Manggis" from Marawi, Lanao del Sur; and "Buwa-buwan" from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
"Mali," akin to agawan base, is a post-work game played by Dumagats under the moonlight by the river. It involves two teams of ten, each led by a 'pambato,' striving to defend their base with a ball.
In a dance film by Roberto P. Ramirez, Jr., Emman competes in "Mali," falling for his opponent Kulot while Kulot's sister Ekang observes his courtship efforts. Though he may not win the game, he captures Kulot's heart.
"Koirdas di la Bordon," played during wakes, involves passing a ring secretly while singing. The one who guesses the ring holder becomes the next 'it.' A film by Percival V. Carel shows this game bringing joy to a grieving family's wake.
"Sipit-Sipit," from Eastern Samar, is a lively game where players try to hit each other's slippers. The Samleyaw Performing Arts Group's film captures this game's spirit with energetic dance moves that mimic slipper-tucking actions.
"Kikembe," from Cuartero, Capiz, is played by children forming circles and intertwining hands and feet while chanting. A film directed by Jocelyn Mayo and Ramie Capuyan showcases Agdahanay Folkloric Group's performance of this intricate game.
It is often played by children who form a circle and tangle their hands and feet. As they turn and form various formations, they would chant "Kekembe, nang kekembe/Ang barato nang karamiri/Ginsakyan ni Kapitan Kabyan/Byan, byan…. Byan." Any player who loses focus and stops the routine will render a song or a dance as a penalty.
Directed by Jocelyn Mayo and Ramie Capuyan, the dance film features the performance of Agdahanay Folkloric Group as choreographed by Rose Hallegado and Cute Candelario. In the film, Kikembe ignites the friendship between classmates who bicker and fight.
In "Kasipa sa Manggis," sipa players try to outdo one another by kicking the ball-like contraption made of rattan (sipa) and hitting the manggis that are hung on a bamboo above them. The player that can hit a manggis and make it drop to the ground gets a price.
The traditional game is mentioned in Darangen, the Maranaw epic. In the tale, mythical hero Raja Bantugan competed in kasipa sa manggis, along with other noble warriors and datus, to win the hand of a beautiful princess.
Benhur Abulencia directs the dancers of Sining Kambayoka Ensemble (SKE) who follow the choreography of Abulencia and Jear P. Lopez in the film, narrating the story of a Meranaw boy who journeys through the Kasipa games and learns the true value of family.
The Agusan Manobo and Lapakonon Manobo children often play the Buwa-buwan, a traditional outdoor game where the runners will try to outrun the "taya." The taya will try to chase and block the runners. Hugis Dance Project of Butuan City performs the choreography of Dariel Endencia and Railey Clark Baring in the film directed by Carlito Amalla and Gerard Hechanova.
Each film is accompanied by four videos highlighting the origin, dress, music, and game behind the dances to further promote the folk and indigenous arts while invoking a deep sense of nostalgia. Maximizing the potential of modern technology, the CCP also created instructional videos and books to document unpublished dances from the different regions of the country, with materials on costumes, music, instruments, and choreographies performed by partner dance groups from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
"The long-term plan is to create a comprehensive archive of Philippine dances, ensuring that future generations will deeply understand and appreciate our culture and heritage. We aim to distribute these manuals and instructional materials to educational institutions and libraries in the Philippines," said CCP President Kaye C. Tinga.
In partnership with the Philippine Folk Dance Society and the City Government of San Jose Del Monte, the CCP will screen the "Tara, Laro Ta(y)o" films on June 25, at the Convention Center, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Coinciding with the launch is the 42nd National Folk Dance Workshop, slated on June 24-28.
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