Filipino folk ensemble to mark 25th year with ‘Karangalan’ show

Members of LIKHA Pilipino Folk Ensemble. FACEBOOK

SAN FRANCISCO — LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble (likha.org) is celebrating the its Silver Anniversary with “Karangalan,” a production honoring 25 years of Philippine music and dance.

With more than 19 successful productions, including international tours, nine performances at the acclaimed San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, and ceaseless research and cultural immersion tours, LIKHA’s “Karangalan” is sure to inspire.

The celebration is set for Sept. 23 and 24 at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco. Karangalan, which means honor, holds two-fold connotation for the performances, which will honor 25 years of Philippine music and dance as well as multiple cultural bearers from the Philippines who will light up the stage with LIKHA’s performers.

Celebrating “the richness, passion and beauty of Philippine culture,” Karangalan brings native performers from the Philippines to honor these masters: Cirilo Bawer, Kalinga educator, master artist, community leader and local ethnologist, whose ongoing efforts preserve the beauty of the culture; Earl C. Pasilan of the Yakan, ethno choreologist and ethnologist, whose love of indigenous music, dance, textile, weaving, and dress influence and shape the arts; and posthumous honors Ramon Obusan, National Artist of the Philippines, whose contributions as choreographer, dancer, designer and artist continue to broaden cultural understanding long after his passing. These world-renowned culture bearers continue to shape the Philippine Art landscape and directly influenced the work and mission of LIKHA.

The LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. It was founded in 1992 in San Francisco by Rudi C. Soriano, former dance soloist of the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, with the mission to preserve the beauty of Philippine folk art and culture while educating the community with dance and music.

The 25^th Anniversary Celebration will feature LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble with the addition of admired culture bearers performing signature pieces from the honored artistic masters. Promising colorful, lively and moving performances, “Karangalan” will be held in the renowned Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco on Sept. 23 and 24.

Tickets for the LIKHA 25^th Anniversary Performances are available at eventbrite.com.