Tinikling Workshop in Vienna: Celebrating Filipino Culture with Folklorico Filipino,Austria and RAMBAK Austria

November 23, 2024, Vienna – Tinikling, one of the Philippines’ most iconic folk dances, is a testament to the creativity and resilience of Filipino culture. While often performed during Filipino festivals worldwide, we were able to enjoy this traditional dance as Folklorico Filipino, Austria and RAMBAK Austria, Filipino cultural organizations in Vienna, held an engaging workshop for those wanting to learn.

The event served as a creative gateway to show Filipino heritage, blending art, music, and movement to introduce Viennese and other multicultural attendees to the rhythmic and dynamic spirit of the Philippines. RAMBAK Austria, known for its dedication to promoting Filipino culture and traditions, partnered with Folklorico Filipino, Austria to ensure the workshop was an unforgettable experience.

Tinikling: A Dance of Grace and Precision

The Tinikling dance mimics the movements of the tikling bird as it dodges bamboo traps set by farmers as the birds try to steal ripe rice grains. Dancers step gracefully between rapidly moving bamboo poles, often accompanied by lively rondalla music. This intricate coordination of footwork and timing symbolizes agility, harmony, and a connection to nature.

Participants in the workshop experienced firsthand the physical and cultural aspects of the dance. The event included:

• Demonstrations by experienced dancers – members of the Folklorico Filipino-Austria, showcasing traditional choreography.
• Interactive Sessions where attendees learned basic Tinikling steps and techniques.
• Live Performance by founder and president of the Parangal Dance Company, Eric Solano.
• Cultural Contexts that highlighted the dance’s origins in rural Leyte, its historical significance, and its enduring place in modern Filipino culture.

We, the audience, were delighted by a lively storytelling session from our resident history enthusiast, Tita Sonia Zerrudo. She shared an interesting alternate origin story of Tinikling, one that painted a vivid picture of our ancestors under Spanish landowners. In this version, the dance was said to mimic workers being punished with bamboo sticks, the Spaniards used the bamboo poles to strike at their feet, and as Filipinos leapt to avoid the blows, their movements evolved over time into the rhythmic dance we recognize today—a far cry from the graceful tikling bird’s inspiration,  but plausible! Personally, I’ll stick with the tikling tale, thank you very much. 😊

Adding to the fun, Tita Sonia also shared a fascinating anecdote about the late Kobe Bryant’s memorable attempt at learning Tinikling during his 1998 visit to the Philippines. It was a delightful mix of history, culture, and a dash of celebrity charm, making the storytelling session as engaging as the workshop itself.

Eric Solano, the founder and president of the Parangal Dance Company, brought his expertise, energy, and deep cultural knowledge to center stage during the workshop. Renowned for his dedication to preserving and promoting Philippine folk dance, Solano’s participation offered attendees a rare opportunity to witness such performance from a master of the craft. As the creative force behind the Parangal Dance Company, Solano has spent years researching, performing, and teaching traditional Filipino dances. His commitment to accuracy has taken him across the Philippines, where he collaborates with cultural bearers and indigenous communities to ensure the dances performed by his company stay true to their origins.

He also presented the book, ADHIKA, a remarkable work that highlights the indigenous culture bearers he collaborates with, shedding light on their traditions, artistry, and enduring contributions to preserving Filipino legacy.

Folklorico Filipino-Austria : A Cultural Community

Vienna boasts of a thriving Filipino diaspora community. Founded in 1981, Folklorico Filipino, Austria has been a cornerstone of Filipino cultural representation in Vienna. Spearheaded by the visionary Minnie Cruz-Langer, the group has passionately showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Philippines through music, song, and dance. For over four decades, the organization has served as an ambassador of Filipino traditions, bringing the beauty and depth of Philippine culture to the international stage. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Folklorico Filipino grace KüBo stages—not only with their captivating dance performances but also through their efforts in teaching Filipino children about wonderful practices and also by showcasing traditional Filipino attire. Their presence is a highlight at many Filipino festivals in Vienna, where they continue to celebrate and share our traditions with pride and authenticity.

By collaborating with RAMBAK Austria, the workshop not only highlighted Tinikling and gave the audience an hands-on experience to learn the dance and the rhythm

A heartfelt thank you goes out to tita Minnie, Dustin and Jil, and their daughter for their incredible patience and dedication in teaching everyone. Their expertise and guidance made the learning experience not only enjoyable but also refining for all participants.

Fun, Focus and Takeaways

In Tinikling, dancers must master more than just footwork—they must also pay close attention to their hand movements and overall coordination. While the primary focus is on navigating their feet between the clapping bamboo poles with precision and rhythm, the hands play a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial awareness. Dancers use their hands to steady themselves and adjust their posture, ensuring they can react quickly to the swift movements of the bamboo.

The dancers are not the only ones who must maintain focus and precision. Those responsible for tapping and moving the bamboo poles, often referred to as “clappers,” play an equally vital role in the success of the dance. These individuals must synchronize their movements with the rhythm of the music and the dancers’ steps, ensuring that the poles open and close at the perfect intervals.

While their primary task is to control the bamboo poles with their hands, clappers must remain vigilant to avoid injuries. They must keep their fingers away from the edges of the poles as they bring them together with force, often at a rapid pace. A moment of distraction or misjudgment could result in their hands getting caught between the bamboo, making precision and focus essential.

This dynamic between the dancers and clappers reflects the cooperative spirit of Tinikling. The clappers’ rhythm sets the stage for the dancers, and their attentiveness ensures the safety and seamless flow of the performance. This teamwork showcases the communal nature of the dance, where every participant—whether dancer or clapper—plays an integral role in bringing the traditional Filipino art form to life.

Yes, we had fun dipping and dancing and also making sure we do not get our hands caught in between bamboo poles!

RAMBAK Austria’s Cultural Mission

RAMBAK, an association for the promotion of indigenous Filipino culture in Austria and headed by the Magoo sisters – Marilyn and Venus, plays a pivotal role in sustaining Filipino traditions. Through events like this Tinikling workshop, they aim to educate, entertain, and build bridges between Filipino and international communities.

At its core, RAMBAK is committed to educating both the Filipino diaspora and the international community about the Philippines’ rich and diverse cultural history. By introducing audiences to traditional dances like Tinikling, food Filipinos love, and the stories behind them, RAMBAK provides a deeper appreciation of the customs and values that define Filipino identity.

Their workshops and events are designed to be immersive experiences, where participants do more than observe—they actively engage in the traditions, learning the nuances of movements, rhythms, and stories that bring Filipino culture to life.

A key mission of RAMBAK is to act as a bridge between Filipino and international communities. By sharing the richness of Filipino culture in Austria, the organization fosters understanding and strengthens relationships among various cultural groups. RAMBAK’s events not only provide Filipino-Austrians with a sense of pride and connection to their roots but also encourage non-Filipino participants to appreciate and celebrate the unique contributions of Filipino culture to the global mosaic.

Community Impact

The workshop fostered cultural exchange and community bonding. It introduced attendees who aren’t so familiar to the beauty of Filipino heritage while providing Filipino-Austrians with an opportunity to reconnect with their roots. Events like these strengthen cultural ties and ensure that traditional dances like Tinikling continue to thrive on the global stage.

In Vienna, at the Musisches Zentrum Wien, the sound of clapping bamboo poles and the sight of spirited dancers transported everyone to the warm, festive atmosphere of a Filipino barrio fiesta and get together. It took me down memory lane, to the times when we also would dance with abanikos (fans), palayoks (claypots), and candles/lights clad in traditional Filipino clothing.  Thanks to RAMBAK Austria and Folklorico Filipino, Austria…Tinikling lives on, inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts far from its homeland. Here’s to enjoying and learning more Filipino folk dances in the future!

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