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 p.m. 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. Tickets at $18 each for General Admission and at $35 for a VIP reserved seat can be purchased here.

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 societies of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago in Southern Philippines. Performances are accompanied with the tribes’ traditional percussion music played by the renowed Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble of SAMAHAN. 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 SAMAHAN’s website here.

Through the concerts of Philippine Dances and Music, SAMAHAN shares with the audience the exquisiteness of Filipino folk dances and music. The Filipinos’ dances and music performed in rituals, courtship, and festivals, depict the people’s rich culture, customs and traditions. The diversity of their dances and music reflects the interconnectedness with Asian and Western traditions throughout the history of the Filipinos, from the Indian, Chinese, Indochinese, Indonesian, Malay, Spanish, to the Americans.