The Philippine contingent at the 4th Annual Dance DC Festival at the Kennedy Center, Millennium stage, on Sept. 29 is an ensemble of Filam talents from Migrant Heritage Commission’s Filam Heritage Dance, Ultimate Eskrima International, Mabuhay, Inc., Filam Ministry of St. Michael, Ilocano Society of America's (ISA's) Miss Teen-Philippines U.S.A.. and the Philippine-American Community Partnership. Performance is free but seating capacity is limited.

The “Pangalay” dance performance will feature the unique creative work of Nolly Ceballos, RP’s top-caliber choreographer of the multi-awarded Filipino dance theater company, the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG). Senior Arnis Master Instructors Walter and Wesley Crisostomo of the Ultimate Eskrima International shared their eskrima techniques with the Filam performers.

“Pangalay” is a traditional dance of the Tausug people of Jolo, located in Mindanao, particularly the Southern tip of the Philippine archipelago. The Tausug imitated the movements of the sea, birds and trees. The dance resembles those of “Kontaw Silat”, a martial art common in Southeast Asia as it links closely to the Indian, Javanese, Thai, Burmese and Cambodian styles of classical dancing.