Pamana 4 "Heritage" - Jr. SAMAHAN Concert of Philippine Dances & Music

The SAMAHAN Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center proudly presents its fourth concert of Philippine folk dances and music featuring SAMAHAN’s junior dancers. Aptly entitled, "Pamana 4" (Legacy) - Celebrating Heritage Through Our Children, this ninety-minute concert will be held on June 25, 2023, Sunday at 6:00 pm at the Clairemont High School Theater. The public is invited to watch and celebrate in support of the second and third generation Filipino-Americans enriched by Philippine cultural arts. SAMAHAN’s junior dancers will present a heartening performance of their cultural heritage through dancing popular Filipino folk dances and singing nostalgic songs. Live music accompaniment is provided by the acclaimed Samahan Rondalla and the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. The Pamana concert is partially funded with grants from the Dr. Lolita Diñoso Carter Endowment through The San Diego Foundation, the CA Arts Council and the contributions of generous patrons and donors.

Filipino folk dances and music performed in festivals, rituals, celebrations, weddings and even courtships portray the people’s rich culture and traditions. The diversity reflects influences of various races, such as, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Malay, Spanish and American, who came to stay in the islands as migrants, traders or colonizers throughout the history of the Philippines.

Alike the repertoire of SAMAHAN’s annual concert of Philippine dances and music, the “PAMANA” concert is presented, as well, in “dance suites” based on regional origin and historical influence. Included are “age-appropriate” folk dances and rituals that have been carefully selected and choreographed for the young performers. The repertoire features in two distinct suites the tribal rituals, dances and chants of the indigenous peoples of the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon and of Mindanao in Southern Philippines. Performances are accompanied with the tribes’ traditional percussion music played by the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. The other two suites are comprised of the lively dances of folks in the Philippine’s country side and of the elegant Spanish influenced Maria Clara dances, both performed with live music accompaniment by the Samahan Rondalla String Ensemble.

For more information check our website at https://SamahanArts.org.

Silung sa Ganding, a dance of the Maguindanaos of Southern Philippines, performed by Jr. Samahan in the 2019 Pamana 2 Concert.

Watch this video essay to have a glimpse of the Pamana concert performances. This video essay by Chesiree Katter features the rehearsals and performances of the Samahan students and music ensembles at the Pamana 2 Concert in April, 2019.