Ever since I was little, I knew I was destined to be a dancer. I grew up watching Shirley Temple movies and yearning to be a ballerina. It's funny — in the American psyche, the first thing when dance comes to mind is ballet. Who knew I would solo the Binasuan or master Tinikling?

I began dancing Filipino folk dance when I was 7. From the beginning I was hooked. There's something about ethnic dance that simply amazes me. Not just Filipino, but all cultures.

But when it came to go to my first day of practice, I threw a fit. I was scared that my parents were going to leave me all by myself with people I didn't know. Typical for an only child. I sat on the couch and cried. I thought to myself "What good will this do? Why do I have to?"

After those moments of inward thinking, suddenly, I felt different. I felt a calling to dance. It was like my whole life flashed before my little brown eyes. I walked up to my parents who were talking in the kitchen. "OK, I'll go," I said. Once we arrived at practice, I knew that this is where I belonged. I have been an active performing member of San Francisco's LIKHA Pilipino Folk Ensemble for eight years, which is half of my life. And it was time well-spent.

My favorite part of cultural dance is sharing. Sharing comes in various forms. What I really love is going to schools and giving demos, and either talking with children about the costumes, teaching them a few steps, or sharing props like fans or hats.

I always look forward to their happy, smiling faces. Even though I am half-Filipino, I proudly share my heritage.

Most Filipino peers I know have commented on my dancing. And it's not what you may think. They call it "old-school," "dumb," and ask "why on earth would you want to do that?" Talk about peer pressure!

An adult recently told me, "You don't look like a Filipina, but you're a Filipina at heart. I can tell."

That really helped me. I try to ignore the demeaning comments I get from those who do not appreciate what I'm doing for future generations. But at times, it gets frustrating and hard.

Now that I am a junior in high school, peering down the road ahead, I already know what I want to do. I would love to major in dance. Maybe one day I'll open a Filipino Folk dance and music institution. I would absolutely love that.

Dance and music are the keys to the past and to the future. If we do not continue our beloved traditions, they will be lost. Our heritage should be something we are all proud of and want to keep alive.



Rhani Bigay is a junior in an Independent Study program with Contra Costa Christian Schools in Walnut Creek, Calif.