Philippine E-Journals

Capturing the Aeta Tribal Dance “PASALAMAT”: A Creative Dance Piece

Rommel C. Rivera

Discipline: Social Science

 

Abstract:

This paper is an initial effort of the researcher to prevent the nearly extinction not only of the Aeta people but also their identity being the first Filipinos. Being the first, it is so ironic to see them helpless to fend for themselves from the “prying eyes”. To see them adapting the modern world might be the start of the loss of the “beginning”. Indigenous dances constitute some kind of cultural genetic code that defines identity of a group of people. The study assessed the pure and unique characteristics of the dance entitled “PASALAMAT”. The veracity of the steps created by the researcher as reflected in the dance was reviewed and presented to the respondents in the dance seminar-workshop held on September 2013 in Pampanga, Philippines. The respondents of the study consisted of 91 attendees. These attendees are PE teachers, MAPEH major students, dance teachers, choreographers and performers. The background/context, movements/ steps, particular to the dance, dance properties and movement of the dance were reviewed and assessed base on the existing guidelines and other parameters approved by the dance expert in the country particularly the Philippine Folkdance Society and National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Based on the findings, the background/context/movements/steps, particular to the dance and dance properties demonstrate statistical significance. The study recommends promotion and preservation on the dance.