By Lee Candelario
For weeks, students of the Penrith Community Filipino School had been learning about the history of the Singkil, a famous dance of the Maranao people. It tells the story of Princess Gandingan and her courage in stepping over fallen trees after an earthquake. The story is reflected in the dance steps of the Singkil.
It was decided that the students would perform the dance and tell the story at the annual Pasko Na Naman celebration at the St Marys Senior Citizens Centre on 27 November 2010. Organising costumes, props and choreography for more than twenty students was a huge task undertaken by the Principal, Marie Bandayrel, and school assistant, Jenny Williams.
Students learnt the dance steps, which were quite complicated and often attended rehearsals during the weeks leading up to the performance. Costumes and props were made by Jenny. These included the king, his guards, the servants of the princess and the elaborate fans and headpiece of the princess herself.
For weeks, students of the Penrith Community Filipino School had been learning about the history of the Singkil, a famous dance of the Maranao people. It tells the story of Princess Gandingan and her courage in stepping over fallen trees after an earthquake. The story is reflected in the dance steps of the Singkil.
It was decided that the students would perform the dance and tell the story at the annual Pasko Na Naman celebration at the St Marys Senior Citizens Centre on 27 November 2010. Organising costumes, props and choreography for more than twenty students was a huge task undertaken by the Principal, Marie Bandayrel, and school assistant, Jenny Williams.
Students learnt the dance steps, which were quite complicated and often attended rehearsals during the weeks leading up to the performance. Costumes and props were made by Jenny. These included the king, his guards, the servants of the princess and the elaborate fans and headpiece of the princess herself.
The crowd was taken aback by the entrance of the princess, balancing on two bamboo sticks, followed closely by her umbrella-bearing maid. There was silence as she indicated that the dance was about to start by the stamping of her foot and the symbolic bells of her ankle bracelet. This was followed by the loud crashing of the bamboo sticks. The earthquake had started.
As the princess moved around the sticks, her servants waved fans and moved in time in the background. After each circuit, the sticks stopped and the princess indicated that she was ready to dance again. Each time, the sticks picked up their dangerous pace and increased in volume as the crowd hoped and prayed that the princess would be able to manouevre herself safely around the bamboo.
The dance was very much appreciated by the crowd and it was obvious to everyone that a lot of time and effort had gone into the preparation of the dance.
Congratulations to the teachers, parents and students for such an amazing performance. I’m sure it will be requested again at future celebrations. Well done!
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