DJAPMNHS Street Dance Routines

One of the formations in the routine.

The Routines

Ibaan is not just a municipality. It is a place where rich diversity of traditions and culture continue to reside in the hearts of every Ibaeno. From 1832 since its establishment up to present time, the town never fails to look back to its humble beginnings, the same way how its people remember the simple yet steadfast ways of living that provided a colossal impact to its modest socio-economic development. It is at this tenet that Kulambuan Festival is being celebrated in the Municipality for its people to remain attached and for the young generations to understand the things that shaped the town itself.

Ms. Alyza Soriano with her two escorts.

Kulambo Dance starts with an execution of “Pagbati” dance routines which is Ibaan’s way of greeting our Lord Jesus Christ on His ascension during Easter Sundays. “Pagbati” is almost synonymous to the municipality’s name itself for it has been practiced and performed for so long as our folks can remember.  The mother - daughter tandem of Mrs. Lilian Perez and Michelle Ebora, the "Pagabati-mentor-heir-apparent", take turns in guiding Ms. Alyza Soriano strut the Pagbati steps. At least basic steps are to be performed by Ms. Soriano at the start of the routines, providing the spark and ignition among dancers as street drums roll on the loud screaming speaker. 

Ms. Michelle mentoring Ms. Soriano.

Aside from having the same as form of thanks giving to all the blessings Ibaenos receive from God, Ibaenos also get their strength from unmoved and untarnished faith to their patron saint, Saint James the Greater. This allowed them to perform various forms of economic activities that keep the town moving on its journey to greatness.

Watching the Kulambo Dance routines, one will evidently see Ibaan’s trademark that made them popular. The first part will show “paghahabi”, a traditional way of hand-weaving blankets and other clothing materials. But more importantly, of white soft cotton mosquito net that has been sold all over the archipelago and undeniably put Ibaan at the pedestal of the same industry. Such is being followed by steps depicting processes of harvesting sugarcane which is the primary driving force that pushed economy between 1960 and 1970, up to present time. Alas, Ibaan “maglalako” will not be missed as well. With “bilao” full of Ibaan’s native and famous delicacy “tamales” , together with “basta” overflowing with different items, specifically with our kulambo, our Ibaan “maglalako” was able to reach the four corners of the country which made them popular and as one of the most industrious among Batanguenos.

Mrs. Perez in her pagbati form.

Thus, Kulambo Dance is not just a dance. It is Ibaan’s way of heritage.

 The Relationship

Despite the rigidness of the practice and the ensuing pressure from the competition itself, the working relationship of dancers, organizers, choreographers, and mentors remains calm as if everyone is just having a great doze of fun in the process. Watching them from distance, the best part of the practice can be seen on how Mrs. Michelle Ebora treat her dancers. Obviously, there exists a sweet bond between them, which of course is very important in any working activity. It's good thing to know there are teachers who know how to stoop down to the level of their students and still be one of them despite the differences on community status. In such, respect is given freely. Needless to say, dancer-students render their loyalty and dedication to the practice not because they fear of being reprimanded, but because they respect each other and their teachers. And street dance competition practice is not an exception.

Crisp laughter in students' company.

In between practice, much more during break, Mrs. Ebora takes time to chat and share laughter with the dancers. And yes, photos break the ice. The thing is, one of the reasons why the practice didn't go into rough sailing is because the teachers of DJAPMNHS are very much supportive of their dancers. Mrs. Perez and Mrs. Ebora, in particular, even during weekend practice, would stay up to late afternoon until the last student-dancer has boarded Mang Inggo's vintage jeep that will take them home. This, in turn, is highly appreciated by the dancers.  

Others may have been slashing their tongues against the back of those who have been sweating hard to make things possible for the street dance competition. With those photos that have been posted, hopefully they'll tie their tongue deep down their throat. And may they speak on how to make things better, instead of burying everyone alive six-feet under. 

Let everything flow like a professional-working-relationship and be part of putting Ibaan's pride at the pedestal. Calaca, here comes Ibaan!

More photos.
More photos.

UB, Bumisita Sa Ibaan

Mga estudyante ng University of Batangas.

Bilang bahagi ng kanilang “Lakbay Aral”, bumisita sa Ibaan ang mga 3^rd year highschool na estudyante ng University of Batangas upang malaman ang tradisyon at kultura nito, Oktubre 14, 2011.

Mula sa paglilibot sa iba’t ibang bayan sa ikaapat na distrito ng Batangas , umaabot sa halos 500 na bilang  estudyante, lulan ng 29 na pampasaherong jeep, ang dumating sa Munisipalidad ng Ibaan bandang ika-tatlo ng hapon. Layunin ng nasabing aktibidad ng University of Batangas na higit na maintindihan at malaman ang iba’t ibang aspeto ng isang bayan, lalong higit ang kasaysayan, tradisyon at mga kultura ng mga ito. At isa nga ang Ibaan sa kanilang napili na bisitahin.

Tourism Office Myla Guerra Soriano.

Sa pamamagitan ni Municipal Tourism Officer Myla Gerra-Soriano, malugod na tinanggap ang mga mag-aaral sa unang palapag ng munisipyo at buong kasiyahan na ipinaliwanag sa mga ito ang kasaysayan ng Ibaan.

Gamit ang projector at aktuwal na presentasyon, naging sentro ng talakayan ang tatlong pangunahing bagay na naging dahilan upang makilala ang Ibaan sa lalawigan ng Batangas. Ito ay ang mga kulambo, habi, at higit sa lahat, ang Tamales-Ibaan.

Ang Habi ng Brgy. Munting Tubig.

Sa nasabing pagkakataon, ipinaliwanag sa mga mag-aaral na ang paggawa at paglalako ng mga kulambo at paghahabi ng mga kumot, punda ng unan at iba ang siyang pangunahing hanap-buhay ng mamamayan ng Ibaan. Isang malasutlang kulambo na gawa sa puti at malambot na pisi ang siyang ginagamit upang makabuo ng tela, na siya namang pangunahing materyales sa pagbuo ng isang kulambo. Ang proseso ng paggawa ng kulambo ay kahalintulad ng tradisyunal na paghahabi. At sa paglipas ng panahon, napalitan ang mga pisi ng nylon na siyang ginagamit sa kasalkuyang kulambo ng Ibaan.

Upang higit na maintindihan ang proseso ng paghahabi, minabuti ni Mayor Danny Toreja na maging bahagi ng aktuwal na presentasyon ang mga maghahabi mula sa Barangay Munting Tubig. Dinala rin ng mga maghahabi ang isa sa kanilang tradisyunal na makinarya na gawa sa kahoy, na siyang ginagamit sa paghahabi. Ayon sa mga maghahabi, umaabot na sa 60 taon na ang edad ng nasabing makinarya na haggang ngayon ay kanila pa ring nagagamit, bagama’t nangangailangan na ng konting rehabilitasyon.

Si Ka Gerry habang nagluluto ng tamales.

Sa harap ng mga mag-aaral, ipinakita ang paraan ng paghahabi ng siyang pangunahing proseso sa paggagawa ng mga kumot at iba pang mga kagamitan na gawa sa tela na nabuo sa pamamagitan ng nasabing proseso. Nagdala na rin ng mga “finished product” ang mga maghahabi tulad ng mga kumot, bag, table cloth at iba pa. Laking tuwa naman ng mga mag-aaral dahil nakabili sila ng mga ito bilang “souvenir” mula sa Ibaan.

Sa huling bahagi ng presentasyon, aktuwal naman na pagluluto, paggagawa at pagbabalot ng popular na Tamales-Ibaan ang isinagawa.  Sa mga nakahandang sangkap, si G. Gerry Mangobos naman ang nagpamalas sa mga mag-aaral ang pagluluto ng Tamales-Ibaan. Sa harap ng kalan, maingat na isinagawa ito habang sinasagot ang mga katanungan ng mga mag-aaral. Mula sa pagsasangkutsa ng mga sangkap hanggang sa pagbabalot sa dahon ng saging, matama naman itong pinagmasdan na puno ng interes at paghanga ng mga bisita.

At upang matikman ang sarap ng Tamales-Ibaan, tatlong kahon nito ang inihanda na mabilis namang naubos ilang sandali pa lamang ang nakakaraan.

Sa pagtatapos ng presentasyon, muling inanyayahan ni Mrs. Soriano ang mga mag-aaral, kasama ang pamunuan ng University of Batangas, na mulling bumisita sa Ibaan para naman masaksihan ang mga aktibidades ng bayan ng Ibaan. Nagpahayag naman ng pasasalamat si Mayor Danny Toreja sa mga mag-aaral sa kanilang pagbisita, ganun din sa mga maghahabi ng Barangay Munting Tubig at kay G. Gerry Mangobos sa kanilang pakikiisa at partisipasyon sa nasabing presentasyon.