The tapping and sliding of bamboo poles could be heard in the halls of the Alumni Center on Saturday, April 27. Two people sat on the floor level counting a three-quarter rhythm to Philippine folk music, the poles tapping against each other and sliding in the opposite direction while two dancers avoided getting their feet caught between the poles. The crowd cheered and then joined in.
Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) performed a Filipino traditional folk dance called “tinikling” during AsiaConnect’s annual Asian Heritage Week. Tinikling is a traditional folk dance that originated in the Philippines, involving people dancing between bamboo poles that are clapped together in a rhythmic pattern, said outgoing APAC President Giancarlo Garnica, a senior computer science major.
Although Garnica comes from a Filipino background, he never had an opportunity to do the dance until the fall 2023 semester when APAC hosted a tinikling demonstration event at the Multicultural Center.
“My parents always showed me the culture, but it was hard to practice and celebrate, especially being here in America in a way. So, when I joined APAC my freshman year, I was able to explore and celebrate my culture with others,” he said.
For other members like Abhi Jannu, tinikling was brand new. He had no idea what to expect.
“It was really fun. I just did the tapping and the dance motion and somehow managed to do it after the third try,” said the junior economics and information systems major.
Garnica said that it’s important to have different cultural events on campus because it brings people’s homes where they are.
“It’s a way to celebrate and share other people’s cultures with others. It’s so cool to be able to meet new people and explore their cultures,” he said.
During APAC’s presentation, members said the history of the dance stems from the movements of the “tikling” bird—navigating its escape from traps set by farmers. Originating from Palo and Leyte in the Visayas islands during the Spanish Colonial era, tinikling reflects the Philippine culture, history, and values, and is usually performed during festivals and special events.
When Garnica and Jannu joined APAC during their freshman year, it was important to them to maintain connections to their cultures—and immerse themselves in others’.
“(It’s) a family away from home,” said Garnica.
Since 1995, APAC has been a registered student organization (RSO) on campus committed to sharing and promoting Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi, and Asian-Pacific American cultures at Illinois State.
“Having an organization like APAC allowed me to come out of my shell,” said Garnica. “When I came to Illinois State and met other people with Filipino heritage that I could relate to, I found that I could relate to others within the Asian community on a greater level.”
“Go out there, have fun, engage in other cultures. I’ve never regretted it. I encourage everyone to do the same thing. As college students, it is especially important to learn about different cultures,” said Jannu.
