Page 4 - SAMAHAN 40TH ANNIVERSARY SOUVENIR BOOKLET - INFO ONLY PGS.1-23

SAMAHAN Philippine Dance History

The Samahan Philippine Dance Company was or- In 1975, Ruby Pearl Chiong joined the Dance
ganized in July 1974 under the direction of Lolita Diñoso Company as a dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Carter, Ph.D. Dr. Carter, a dance instructor at Gross- Fresh from the Philippines, she brought with her a
mont College, El Cajon, CA. at that time, volunteered rich repertoire of dances reflecting her experiences
her services to organize a performing ensemble as a con- with the Far Eastern University Dance Troupe and
tribution to the growing Philippine Community of San work with several dance companies in Manila. Her
Diego. Her knowledge of Philippine Dance and Music knowledge of dances from the mountain provinces
came naturally from her experiences growing up in the of Northern Luzon and the Southern Philippines
Philippines and being involved in all facets of Filipino life further enriched the Company's repertoire. Ms.
in a small town including activities of a large extended Chiong’s experience as assistant student director of
family, church and its numerous religious observances, the FEU’s Folk Dance Troupe helped Samahan in
school programs and community celebrations specially producing their first formal Philippine dance con-
town fiestas. Formal education in Philippine Folk Dance cert at the San Diego City College Theater in 1976.
at the University of the Philippines and classes with
Francisca Reyes Aquino, eminent authority on Philippine Non-Profit Status Obtained
Folk Dance provided Carter with a solid background in In 1978, Samahan obtained status as a non-
Philippine Folk Dance. profit, public benefit corporation. Its founding di-
Samahan Philippine Dance Company started as part rectors were Grace P. Blaszkowski, Juanita F. Cac-
of the Youth Program of the Council of Pilipino- cam, Ph.D., Ruby Pearl B. Chiong, Juanita C. San-
American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO). tos, Atty. Jesse G. Quinsaat and Lolita D. Carter,
The purpose of the program was to provide Filipino Ph.D. Soon after, the dance company obtained its
youth opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation of first grant from the National Endowment for the
their cultural heritage. The name “Samahan” (meaning Arts which was matched by Tawfiq and Richel
working together) was selected by the participants who Khoury of Pacific Scene, Inc. In 1979, the Dance
were mostly students from area junior and senior high Company was invited to perform in the inaugura-
schools and San Diego State University. The students of tion of the East County Performing Arts Center.
the educational and recreational program soon became a The performance set-off the annual presentations in
group of amateur Philippine folk dance performers be- that theater for seven years.
sieged with requests for presentations from various or-
ganizations, institutions and individuals.

SAMAHAN Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center 40th Anniversary