PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL 2025
FCS Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble
By Bennyroyce Royon
Since its inception in 2010, the FCS Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble (formerly FCS Kalahi Philippine Folk Dance Company) has gone through several iterations under different leaders. Today, FCS Kalahi is led by two Filipino American teaching artists Juliet Cheatle and Bennyroyce Royon.
At its core, FCS Kalahi is an intergenerational dance troupe for children and adults that celebrates and shares the rich Philippine culture through dance, music, and audience participation. The group has performed at festivals, senior care facilities, public & private school events, and more throughout the Puget Sound region. FCS Kalahi also promotes family participation and involvement through rehearsals, performances, workshops, community events, and volunteer opportunities.
FCS Kalahi holds weekly rehearsals on Thursdays, with occasional Saturday sessions at the Filipino Community Center. Families, including parents and children, learn and perform vibrant Filipino folk, rural, and indigenous dances that showcase the rich way of life of the Filipino people. Through our holistic pedagogical approach, we support valuable intergenerational learning experiences for parents and their children. This pairing helps build the intergenerational bond, contributes to the enjoyment of the cultural learning process, and forges lifelong relationships based on our Filipino culture and values.
Amel Chesneau
Apollo Pedrano
Arlene Perez
Aurora Penor Schaffer
Ayco de Vera
Blessie Vergara
Bridget Foster
Corbin Burkhalter
Elizabeth Maylee Orvis
Ella Calixto
Evelyn Tamayo
Jacob Deleon Guerrero
Kaylah Tibbits
Kisa Nishimoto
Konomie Rito
Layla Tamayo
Linus Calixto
Luzon Rito
Marlene Valdez
Mary Sison
Mateo Penor Schaffer
Michelle Angel Cabrera
Nia Chesneau
Noah Stein
Palawan Rito
Paul Cabanilla
Rebecca Deleon Guerrero
Riley Morrison
Sabine Stein
Sawyer Webbeking
Simonette Ramos
Siran Bailey
Valentina Ramos
Vita Cabanilla
Zhayne Joshua Neri
Current members include:
FCS Kalahi is a tuition-free program that welcomes students ages 5 and up. We invite you to come check us out by visiting our website at www.filcommsea.org. Let’s dance!
Born in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines, Bennyroyce studied Filipino folk dances at a young age. After moving to the US, he went on to study dance at The Juilliard School in NYC. He has performed on Broadway, and has toured all over the US, Canada, and Europe. An award-winning choreographer, he has created original works for professional ballet companies, dance colleges, and schools. He is the Founder & Producing Artistic Director of BENNYROYCE DANCE, a project-based contemporary dance company. Bennyroyce is passionate about performing arts, education, and community building through dance. Bennyroyce is the Artist in Residence and the Social, Arts, and Culture Program Manager of the Filipino Community of Seattle.
BENNYROYCE ROYON
