Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico (FAFNM)

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Mission

We are under the umbrella of the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico, whose mission is to promote the recognition and maintenance of the distinctive values and historical heritage of Filipinos while striving to enhance the well-being of the Filipinos through education, health, and economic services. The cultural committee carries forward this mission by promoting the teaching of Tagalog—the Filipino national language, music, traditional costumes, and dances.

Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico Cultural Dance Group

Teaching and sharing Filipino traditional dance as a means of cultural preservation and pride, and unity among Albuquerque’s diverse ethnic communities.

Community Context

The first Filipinos arrived in North America in 1584 when a Spanish ship with Filipino crewmen landed at Morro Bay, near San Obispo, California. In 2000, two million Filipinos lived in the U.S. In New Mexico, the presence of Filipinos was officially recorded in 1910 when 10 native-born Filipinos were counted by the U.S. Census. By 1930, this number increased to 27 native-born Filipinos. By 2000, census counted approximately 5,000 Filipinos (one race or any combination with another race). Several factors lured these Filipinos to New Mexico: work, marriage and/or family reunification, education a nd special laws (special immigration permit).

Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico Cultural Dance Group

I am Ligaya White, the current chairperson of FAFNM Cultural committee and the choreographer and dancer for this committee. In 2005, I began working with the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico Cultural Dance Group, with a concentration on working with youth. I was inspired to become involved with the dance group because of the motivation and dedication of our Filipino-American children. Since then, I have coached and mentored 15 children, ages 4-17 years old. Most of the children were born here in the United States. My objective is to educate the children and introduce them to the ethnic background of their parents’ country of origin by providing them with opportunities to have their own cultural experiences.

Between 2005 and 2007, the FAFNM Cultural Dance Group participated in annual events that raised funds for youth scholarships, such as the Maria Clara Ball and Pista sa Nayon. My group has also participated in other Albuquerque-based events such as the annual Bataan Memorial celebration in March and the annual city-sponsored Santa Cruzan event at Old Town in the month of May. We have participated in the annual Asian American Association’s Asian festivals in May, and the New Mexico State Fair celebration in September. We have also been invited to the Prince of Peace Parish to sing and perform for their annual Misa de Gallo mass. Lastly, we have performed for our annual Christmas party. We have been visible in sharing our cultural dances, music, and costumes at Old Town, civic plazas, conventions, schools, local parks, churches, nursing homes, the University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education Center, and at the Veterans Affairs.

Our children have been our young ambassadors to the City of Albuquerque. They have represented our Foundation through many local events. Parents have been pleased to see the growth of their children through their participation in these activities. Most of our teenagers have graduated from high school and have moved on with their priorities in life, but we have continued to recruit new dancers who are willing to commit and volunteer their time and talents.

Some of my work also focuses on teachin g cultural dances to the young women in our association. These women are new to Albuquerque, having relocated from the Philippines, California, Texas, and Georgia, while others were already living here. Our dance group has helped these women socially through introducing them to local friends. As an immigrant myself, I can relate to their feelings. I felt homesick in my first month and my first year here in the United States. I hope that the cultural dance group provides these young women with entertainment, while helping them establish a social life in Albuquerque.

Inspired by the collaborations and unity of the different ethnic groups here in New Mexico, I have joined the Asian American Association and the Albuquerque Arts Alliance. Over the past years, I have seen the participation and the sharing of cultural wealth and diverse skills from the area’s different ethnic groups. Although each group is unique we all share one common value, a pride in our arts and heritage. For the FAFNM Cultural Dance Group, this pride is shown in our grace in dancing and the distinctiveness of our cultural traditions.

My own past experiences with dance have taught me to become confident in myself. Accordingly, I would like to help make a difference in other people’s lives. We cannot change the world but we can do our part by making this world a better place to live, most especially for our children, our future citizens. The annual events and alliances of the different ethnic groups have welcomed new immigrants and newcomers to our state. Traditional art forms, such as dance, music, painting, drama, and poetry are a bridge between our older generations and our children. As an expression of our heritage and culture, the arts link us to the different ethnic cultural groups in New Mexico. Art is a non-verbal way of communicating our pride, joy, and emotions to others. Art provides inspiration for us to think creatively through participating, networking, and sharing our common goals w ith the community. Through the arts we educate each other about unity, in spite of our differences and uniqueness.

Learn more

Learn more about the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico Cultural Dance Group at

http://filamfoundation.nm.googlepages.com/

and http://goodtimeproductionsnm.com/Filipino_American_Foundation.html .

Contact

Dr. Adelamar Alcantara,

dalcant(at)unm.edu

Mrs. Bing Skyiepal,

409.256.6100

Mr. and Mrs. Cris and Emilie Underwood,

crisunderwood(at)hotmail.com

Photos, top to bottom

The itik-itik (duck dance) danced for the Asian Festival at Civic Plaza. Photo, Dr. Salisbury

The Tinikling (bamboo dance), danced at the Civic Plaza, Asian Festival. Photo, Dr. Salisbury.

The polkabal, danced at Santa Cruzan, Old Town. Photo, Dr. Salisbury.

The Carinyosa, danced at Old Town plaza. Photo, Jery D. White.

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