Dance Team Philippines 2021 sees action in Asian Festival


by Susan Palmes-Dennis  

Rockingham, North Carolina—To Filipino-Americans in the Carolinas, please show your love and support to Dance Team Philippines 2021 as they compete in the much awaited Asian Festival (Search for the Asian Festival Performing Arts) on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Tonette Asay, overall chairperson of Dance Team Philippines 2021, made this announcement as she disclosed that their contingent will perform a Royal Dance, a form of Singkil that recounts the ordeal of Princess Gandingan who was kidnapped by a diwata (guardian spirits) while traveling.

The ‘Singkil Dance’ shows the dancers getting entangled with vines, bamboo or anything in their path. The dance was popularized by the Bayanihan Dance Troupe of the Philippines. 

Philippine legend said the dance is adapted from the Maranao people that lived in the shoreline of Lake Lanao. The dancers skillfully manipulate the fan which represents the wind while the scarf represents the waves of the lake.

The clacking bamboo poles represents the earthquake. The final act of the dance involves attracting potential suitors by the Princess. 

Dance Team Philippines 2021 is made up of Filipino Americans in North Carolina who volunteered their talent and time for the community.

They are nurses, housewives and career women and their choreographer is Maria Corazon Ducusin of the Dance Troupe Philippines of the Carolinas

Also joining the team are young adults Grant Armstrong and Derek Isaiah Reynolds, sons of incumbent FACC (Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas) officers Yulie Armstrong, 1st vice president and Doreen Reynolds, Treasurer.

Playing the role of Princess Gandingan is Jannette Ramos Byerly.Born, who was raised in Siay Zamboanga del Sur. Jannette, a nurse by profession, is married to Ronald Byerly and they have two beautiful daughters named Julianna and Ysabella. Jannette came to the US in 2004 and is residing in Jamestown North Carolina.

Jannette Ramos Byerly Born
‘It's truly an honor to dance the part of Princess Gandingan in the Singkil Dance   certainly because I'm proud of my heritage...And to my co-dancers, thank you very much for putting your hearts and souls into the dance. I’m a proud Mindanaoan,’ said Jannette, an FACC member. 

Yulie Armstrong said joining the team is a good experience to showcase the Filipino culture.  She said her son Grant’s role as one of the clappers is a great way for him to experience that culture. On the other hand Elvie Bramich, the maiden buddy of the princess, said she loves to dance and help the Filipino-American community.

The dancers, who showed real commitment by bringing their own costumes from Cagayan de Oro City and their respective roles are as follows:

1.       Jannette Byerley Born- Princess Gandingan

2.       Elvie Bramich – Asik , Umbrella Maiden

3.       Maria Corazon Ducusin – Diwata Batarasa-Marudo

4.       Lisa Macnamara- Fan Dancer

5.       Yulie Armstrong- Fan Dancer

6.       Doreen Reynolds – Scarf Dancer

7.       Tonette Asay- Scarf Dancer

8.       Lyndsey Reynolds- Vinta Dancer

9.       Lydia Reynolds- Vinta Dancer

10.     Derek Reynolds- Bamboo Boys

11.     Grant Armstrong- Bamboo Boys

 

Choreographer- Maria Corazon Ducusin

Musical/Costume/Technical/Overall Chairman- Tonette Asay

This year’s Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts is a juried competition with top judges painstakingly chosen for the talented performers.

This is the 21st Asian Festival and the 15th Dragon Boat Festival and the first juried Best of Asian Festival Performing Arts since it was founded and chaired by Dr. Eumelia ‘Nini’ de Bautista.

The festival will also commemorate the Asian Pacific Heritage Month since it was promulgated in 1992. The festival is spearheaded by the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (CASCC)in partnership with the Mecklenburg County and Recreation Department.

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