TAU-LUWA

2016

Choreography: AL Garcia
Performance: Ballet Philippines 2
Produced by: Ballet Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Black Box Theatre)

Coined from Filipino words Tao (human) and Kalauluwa (soul). Tau-luwa explores a
story of an imagined rural community, whose rituals are integral to community life as it signifies
cycle of life and passage of time. Narrated through Filipino-inspired movements and accents
(Malong and Siosay) we witness the journey of one’s soul in this earthly life.
I was aware of the risk that I am taking for this work, that is why my intention was not to
represent specific cultures and community, so I created an imagined community in narrating this
work. After the premiere some of the people got what I was trying to do and became more
curious to know about Philippine traditional practices that the piece was inspired from.