Chair of the Physical Education Department, Mr. Earl Francis C. Pasilan presented his dance research on June 24, 2024, titled “Tumahik: the Yakan War Dance” during the 2024 National Folk Dance Workshop held in San Juan del Monte, Bulacan.
After years of validation and evaluation by the Philippine Folk Dance Society (PFDS) Board, “Tumahik” was recently published in the 2024 series of the dance book “INDAK TA(Y)O: Dances of the Philippine Islands” by the PFDS and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
This dance research was first presented by Mr. Pasilan in 2009 during the National Folk Dance Workshop for Teachers held at the Ateneo de Davao University-Matina Campus, and the dance literature annonated by him was utilized in the 2022 dance film “TUMAHIK: Of Horses and Men of Yakan,” which was part of the CCP’s “TA(Y)O 2022: Daloy ng Katauhan, Indak ng Pagkakakilanlan.”
Mr. Pasilan is a lifetime member, a dance researcher, and a recipient of the 2019 Gawad Sayaw Diamante for dance research of the PFDS. The awarding was held at the Folk Arts Theater of the CCP. The AdZU School of Education is proud of your continual influence in enriching cultural preservation and your commitment to excellence. May you continue to advocate for the Filipino folk dances.
[Photos courtesy of Philippine Folk Dance Society, Mr. Leonardo P. Dagum, DepEd NCR, and Mr. Rolly dela Torre, dance master, Sapang Palay Dance Troupe]
