FIA Cultural's 1st Kalatong Practice

Today, in SCE 605 from 4pm-5:50pm, Mike and I held our first Kalatong practice.

We plan to perform Kalatong at Battle of the Bamboo 2010. We’re also planning on performing a second dance, which is yet to be determined.

The Kalatong is a rural dance that is named after the 3-foot bamboo object that the dancers wear around their necks or waists. They beat this object in a fast rhythm, believing this will bring luck and drive away evil spirits. (http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Kalatong --- WHOA! I did not know there was such a thing as WIKIPILIPINAS, did you?!)

(Another) Did You Know:
There’s a thing called a “Kalatong Festival”?

Learn more about it here: http://batangrizal.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/kalatong-festival/

Thanks to those who attended and showed up to today’s practice. I hope you all had fun with this new and exciting dance!

We currently have 12 sticks stored in the FIA office for this dance, but I have another bundle at my house! We know some of you didn’t get the chance to practice with the sticks today, so Mike and I are thinking of having the dancers switch off during the dance so that everyone who is interested in dancing Kalatong will get a chance to. How’s that sound?

Next Practice:
Thursday, January 28
SCE 605 @ 4PM

Hope to see you there!


Lizelle Marcial
Co-Cultural Director