Gong Row Music & Dances of the Southern Philippines

The Mahalohalo Ensemble will introduce the music and rarely seen dances such as Igal (a dance with extended fingernails) and Kapagapir (a fan dance) that originate from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago of the Southern Philippines. The music derives its lineage from traditions predating the 16th century and is related to gong row traditions in North Borneo, Malaysia and North Sulawesi, Indonesia with origins in ceremonial, ritual, and entertainment purposes. This 45-minute performance will offer audience participation to give children and adults a hands-on experience of these unique cultural traditions.

Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, ING Foundation, Armstrong Produce Ltd., Bowman Connectivity Solutions, Inc., Girard's Dressing, Roberts Hawaii Tours, Toshiba Business Solutions, and DFS Hawaii. Additional funding and support is being provided by the University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College's Statewide Cultural Extension Program, the Hawaii State foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.