Gestural Lineage

Gestural Lineage (Phase 1: Research) explored sameness and difference through time spent with both urban and indigenous communities within the Philippine Archipelago. These communities included family and friends in Manila, the Kagan Community in Davao Del Sur, and the Applai community in Sagada. Tin also had the privilege of witnessing the Kadayawan Festival in Mindanao, dancing with Madayaw Cultural Ensemble, spending time with Boots Dumlao (Founder of Kathara Philippines), meeting Kathryn Fanlo, and participating in the Bangaan Fiesta.

During this time I integrated felt knowledge through movement explorations with Jomelle Era, Deborah Afuang, and Jordan Bartolome. I also provided improvisation workshops to the dance majors at Benilde College, as well as the arts students of Digos High School.

A special thank you to those who helped connect me to various communities: Jr Guerrero and Babette Santos who connected me to Boots Dumlao and Bryan Batu Ellorimo; Tita Connie who connected me to the Applai community; and Dennis Gupa for connecting me to Digos High school.

The relationships and experiences will forever inform my arts practice and artistic lens.

“Whilst each of us is a product of our histories, we experience the harvest of previous generations. We can be mindful of how the past has affected the present when making present decisions for our future — we can till the soil for future generations, prune out weeds, plant new seeds, give the land time to rest, and dance for abundance and fertility.”

-Tin Gamboa

“…In previous phases of that movement, we wrote, we painted, we preached, we marched, and practiced as many skills… to prove that Indios were not only Bravos but Sabios… we danced! We dance our prayers… we dance our labours and danced to the harvest. We danced our fiestas, of course, but we also danced our sorrows… We just can’t seem to keep our toes still even when the place or occasion is solemn. Let’s face it: the dancing that’s in our blood is always itching in our toes.”

-Nick Joaquin, National Filipino Artist in Literature