Fil-Am Folk Group Dances On After Robbery

Rommel Conclara, ABS-CBN News

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – The Filipino folk dancers of the Kaisahan Dance Group of San Jose California is now running their final rehearsals before their 35th anniversary show next Saturday.

It was a show that many of them did not think they will be able to put on because of a robbery in their dance studio just three months ago.

Upon arriving for rehearsal that day, the group saw police marking off their area and found that their instruments and costumes were missing.

“I was devastated and even up to now, there was a time nobody wanted to rehearse because we were all sad, but you know, we have to continue,” said artistic director Helen Pastor-Moreno

“As an artist, that’s my passion so I have to continue because of the kids,” she added.

According to the Kaisahan board members, the recognizable Filipino folk dance costumes had been seen in the nearby park by the community center where they practice.

“It’s like those homeless people who are wearing these costumes already, so it was just sad,” said board member Ruth Floreza Hernandez.

Despite the losing their gear, Kaisahan was not ready to give up.

Thanks to the numerous fundraisers and ties with the parents and the community, Kasiahan recovered.

“The amount that were lost was $20,000, but we were able to raise almost $40,000,” said board member Clarita Nelson.

The young dancers and their parents say they are proud to represent their culture through dance because it is a way to understand their identities as a Filipino-Americans.

“Learning about my culture is very important in my life because I was born here in America, and I don’t know anything about the Philippines, and I just want to learn more about my culture through dancing,” said Theodore Dela Cruz, a Kaisahan dancer.

Kaisahan said that while the incident is a tragedy, it ultimately strengthened their need to continue to dance.

“You cannot just erase it in the community because a lot of our friends and family are part of this organization and I am very proud of what Kaishan has accomplished,” said Pastor-Moreno.

These dancers say that no matter what hardships they face, Kaisahan will not stop showcasing the culture and preserving it for further generations of Filipino-Americans.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)