“We do this dance to celebrate our Filipino culture and to show our heritage to others.”

La Cariñosa is a dance from the Maria Clara suite (Philippine dances that originated from Spanish culture). The name of the dance is loosely translated to “loving” or “affectionate.” This partner dance utilizes fans and handkerchiefs and is meant to simulate a courtship or romance between a couple. The person I had interviewed is the one that coordinated the dance for USC’s 2025 Pilipino American Cultural Night (PACN). She had emphasized that it is important to learn about the origins of the dance, so we can have intention behind our movements.

I appreciate this person I interviewed because she believes that it is very important to know the history of the dance before we perform it. By understanding the origin, us performers are able to connect more deeply with the dance and tell the story through our intention and movement. The person I interviewed helped me realize that these dances aren’t just a way to entertain our audience and share our culture but also a way to educate ourselves as the performers and preserve our heritage.