PAGDIRIWANG PHILIPPINE FESTIVAL 2024
FCS Kalahi Dance Company
The Kalahi Dance Company (formerly FCS Tropa Filipiniana) is part of the Filipino Community of Greater Seattle’s Family Academy program which promotes family participation and involvement in the education of children. It empowers our families and students to be proactive in community and school affairs.
The group was formulated in May 2010 when English Language Development and Tagalog language teacher Lorlie Sardinia brought her Van Asselt Elementary students and parents to the first FCS Tagalog class for children. Narcita and Ever Eugenio from the Bilingual Program in the Seattle Public Schools and former FCS Board member and retired educator Nolette Serra helped made the Tagalog class a success. The following class session, parents Belen Johnson, Virgie Purganan, Annaliza Marin, Debbie Masmela with Damian and Judy Cordova introduced the idea of having a dance troupe. With assistance from Roger del Rosario and Lyrma Santodomingo of the Filipiniana Dance Company, Kalahi Dance Company got started.
Kalahi Dance Company – a Filipino American folk dance troupe for children and adults. Dance practice every Saturdays 10 AM-1PM. Contact Judy Cordova @ tropakids@hotmail.com or (206) 721-7711. Please visit their facility at the Filipino Community of Seattle or learn more on-line at: www.fcseattle.org.
Tropa performers consist of kids of all ages. Our young performers come from many school Districts here in the Greater Seattle area. Today we have an active group of parent leaders who have joined in creating a coalition of parents, educators, community leaders and volunteers. Jonathan and Marylou Madamba, Geosan Perry and MaeAnn Aguiling just to name a few. The group’s coordinator Judy Cordova and Artistic Dance Director Lyrma Santodomingo continues to lead and cultivate the group.
Tropa has participated in parades and regularly performs at special events during the course of the year:
• Northwest Folklife at Seattle Center
• Pagdiriwang Festivities at Seattle Center
• July 4th Everett Parade
• Seattle Arts Museum events
• Pista sa Nayon at Seward Park
• Shoreline Arts and Crafts
• Rainier Valley Heritage Parade
• FCS Anniversary, etc.
With such a talented and passionate group, Kalahi Dance Company will aspire to be the best in representing the Philippine Culture through music and dance.
We invite you to come and check us out. Learn more of our Philippine language, culture, songs, dances and other activities.