Written by: Jeremy Zamora
Tinikling, a national folk dance from the Philippines, has become well-known throughout Filipino social media and pop culture and has even been incorporated into some school systems in the United States. In my opinion, tinikling should be classified as a sport because of its intensity.
For those not aware, tinikling is a rhythmic dance that requires two bamboo poles held by two people who are kneeling or sitting. They follow the rhythm of traditional Filipino music by raising and dropping the poles on the first and second beat, then clapping the poles together to make the music’s signature beat.
The dancers respond by jumping, hopping and turning in sequence with each other and the music, as they try not to get their feet caught between the clapping poles. The coordination required makes the rhythmic dance very challenging.
I can say from experience that tinikling is very intense and requires rhythm, cardio and confidence to pull off. My connection with this dance goes back a long way. In middle school, my friends and I tried to execute this athletic performance for a showcase during an annual International Day celebration. It was a very interesting experience that humbled my ability to dance and be confident.
When the music started, I forgot all of my practiced choreography and stood immobilized. When I tried to cross the bamboo poles, my feet were constantly caught between them when they came together. By the song’s end, I was tired, sweaty and bruised around my ankles, but it was okay, because it was a learning experience that I got to share with my friends.
In February, I had the blessing and opportunity to participate in the annual Chattanooga Chinese New Year event, a local event I recommend supporting. This event was a compilation of amazing performances and delicious Asian food from vendors. The performances showcased and represented other countries, and I was blessed to participate in tinikling.
The preparation for this dance was intense, but worth the experience. Initially, the rehearsals started with planning the dance and what we wanted to showcase. The footwork was very involved and required a lot of coordination. We practiced for hours on end, and since we all had prior experience with tinikling, it was easy to get the gist of the sequencing of the dance.
The music started at the Chinese New Year event, and then it all went by in a blur. Everyone in the dance group was locked into executing the performance. Due to countless hours of rehearsal, we knew what we were doing and enjoyed the moment.
During practices, our feet would get caught between the poles, but during the performance, they jumped more easily. Once the dance was finished, we felt great even though we were sweaty and tired. Tinikling got our hearts pumping! The performance went very well!
We endured lots of sweat, bruises and sometimes even tripping during the practices. However, at the end, our collective work successfully represented our country, which was a blessing that still connects with me. If I could do it again, I would and probably will next year.