FSU: Tinikling and Cotillion

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Filipino Student Union, one of the largest clubs at Renton High, performed two dances for this year’s Multicultural Show, Cotillion and Tinikling. Members of the club not only rehearse performance routines, but also learn more about Filipino culture and celebrate their traditions.

“I have always been really interested in Filipino culture and tinikling gave me a chance to be included in the community even though I am not Filipino. It gives me a lot of open mindedness towards other cultures,” said Alex Ingles, a new member to the club.

Tinikling is a fast paced Filipino dance illustrated by rhythmically tapping bamboo sticks together while people dance on beat with the music.

Jimwell Dumaguing, club ambassador for FSU, described its origin as a folk dance during the Spanish colonial era, mimicking the Tikling bird as it danced around traps set by rice farmers. Today, it is a popular performance that upholds its traditional roots.

” Tinikling is a bamboo stick based dance that is connected to the culture of the Philippines,” he explained.

Alicia Ing, a veteran member of FSU, gives insight into the club as well.

“For every performance that we put on, we always begin with the traditional Tinikling music. We like to incorporate modern elements also, but we still want to keep the integrity of what Tinikling is,” Ing expresses.

The dance begins with the group walking out holding the bamboo sticks, and as they set them down, the dancers begin on beat to the traditional song. Partway through the performance, the performance shifts towards more modern music selections as the dancing gets faster. All of the choreography was created by student leaders within the club, inspired by various Tinikling performances on YouTube.

Cotillion, also run by FSU, is traditionally preformed at a girl’s 18th birthday called a debut. It is significant element of a traditional debut as it symbolizes the girl becoming an adult and is performed with the debutante’s closest loved ones. All of the performers for Cotillion were current seniors, meaning they are all or will be turning 18 in this year.

Aeriel Asirot, a dancer in Cotillion, discussed the choice to introduce Cotillion as a Multi performance this year.

“Although we are not all girls, of course, it is able to symbolize our year of 2018 and to celebrate our 18th year, since we are seniors,” explained Asirot.

The five couples in the group gracefully swayed to the rhythm of the romantic music. The girls’ lace white dresses twirled around them while the boys accompanied in their dashing suits.

Cotillion was created through group’s collaboration in choreographing and planning. It took a lot of work and preparation, but the performance was without a doubt one to remember.

For the students who only went to the day shows in school, they did not get to see the Cotillion performance. FSU performers waited to share their talents until the Friday and Saturday night shows when the whole community was watching.

“We wanted to think of a way to incorporate not only a Filipino tradition, but also something that could be for us seniors for our last multi,” said Asirot.“From it, I was able to learn how to be open to new ideas and get out of my comfort zone. Also it helped me grow further as a person.” 

Just as every other performance in the Multicultural Show, FSU welcomes members who do not ethnically identify with the specific culture, but provide an opportunity for everyone to participate.

“Celebrating culture, to me, is being part of a community that you know shares the same values and traditions that you connect with, and how you can pass that on to your future generations,” explained Dumaguing. He explained how FSU is an opportunity for him to positively impact his community.

Filipino Student Union unites students from many different ethnic identities, and provides an opportunity to develop leadership, collaboration, and build relationships with fellow club members. Beyond the display of hours of practice and coordination. FSU’s Multi performances showcased fierce pride in Filipino heritage, and its impact on the culture of Renton High.