Bayanihan will host a Tinikling demonstration and interactive performance during lunch in the plaza today.
Tinikling is a traditional Filipino dance that involves two large bamboo sticks held parallel to each other and the ground. Performers dance around and between the sticks, which are struck together in time with the music. The dance, originating from the Philippines’ Spanish Colonial era, is named after tikling birds, as dancers take on similar leg movements while performing.
Although there was a shortage of members who knew how to perform the dance, according to Katrina De Castro (12), a co-president of Bayanihan, the process of learning the dance is relatively simple.
“[Although seemingly daunting,] it’s just a really simple 1-2-3-step kind of thing,” De Castro said. “After the main demonstration is finished, we will be encouraging other people to come in. We can teach them the ropes, or rather the sticks in this case.”
In preparation for the event, the club met after school Wednesday to refresh themselves on Tinikling dance technique. As the club often met after school in previous years for club bonding activities and assorted event rehearsals, event commissioner Jaden Villegas (12) said she is able to recall wholesome experiences that ultimately led her to connect with her club members.
“When I first joined the club, I was super shy to participate in any activities,” Villegas said. “I didn’t have a lot of friends in the club but pushing myself to go out of my comfort zone was definitely worth it.”
De Castro said the demonstration itself will be pretty short, as Bayanihan is primarily looking to interact with the student body after the dance. According to Villegas, the club has always been interested in reaching out to anyone in the student body who is curious to learn more about Filipino culture.
“Not only do we want to maintain the culture with anyone who is already Filipino, we also want to be able to spread and teach about it to those who don’t have any background knowledge or to those who are simply interested in learning about a different culture,” Villegas said. “Back at home, my parents and their parents before them have always taught our generations to be respectful and welcoming to everyone despite differences.”
Through events such as the Tinikling demonstration, Villegas said that Bayanihan constantly looks to act in accordance with its mission statement, “through our passion and dedication, we strive to share the Filipino culture with others and grow as a family.”
For Villegas, living by the mission statement has allowed her to foster meaningful connections through the club, and hopes anyone, of any background, interested in joining the club takes that leap to do the same.
“The club allowed me to make the best friends that I have today and create some of my most fondest memories,” Villegas said. “For me, there is a sense of pride to be able to share our passion and dedication for our culture.”