The Filipino Canadian Association of Cochrane Alberta (FCACA) has recognized the Mitford School and Cochrane Christian Academy for promoting multiculturalism and diversity by incorporating tinikling into their phys ed programs.

FCACA vice-president Edwin Aguanta, who provided the instruction, says the association was thrilled. He says not only does it help promote multiculturalism, but it is a great way to exercise.

"I saw a good opportunity to really promote the Filipino culture," says Aguanta. "Other schools in the Philippines are also doing that, so I thought maybe it was a good opportunity to do it here in Canada, and both schools agreed."

He spent two weeks teaching the dance to students of the Cochrane Christian, where he is a learning assistant, and one week at Mitford.

"It's a really good opportunity for us to promote diversity and multiculturalism, and just to have fun with the students while giving them an appreciation for other cultures."

He says those of Filipino descent make up about two per cent of the schools' population and they also enjoyed seeing their culture represented.

"It was excellent," says Allan Elkin, Christian Academy principal. "We haven't had Filipino dance taught at the school before, but Edwin offered it to a teacher, and so we just needed a few supplies, which Edwin purchased and put everything together and offered it to our students."

Mitford assistant principal Brianna Storey says they incorporated the instruction into phys ed classes at all their grade levels.

"Edwin came in and he taught the dance to all of our students, and they all had a chance to practice it, and build their skills in it, and it was just a great experience."

She says the dance required the students to work together as a team to be successful and it promotes being physically active.

"Those are parts of our phys ed curriculum, so it was great to expose them to something new, a different culture, and then see them have to build those skills and then do it on the spot. It was fun, and they really enjoyed it."

While there are both historical and legendary accounts of how the dance came to be, both agree it was created during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.

The dance involves at least two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance. It is traditionally danced to rondalla music. It's commonly seen at Filipino and cultural celebrations, and the performers typically wear traditional Philippines outfits.

The FCACA continues to share the dance with Cochranites during their special celebration, such as Philippines Independence Day, Culture Fest, and the Labour Day Parade.

tiniklingCochrane's Jassi Trimiming, who went on to be named first runner-up in the Miss Filipina International Pageant in LA, was among those performing the dance at last summer's Philippines Independence Day celebration. Many others from the crowd were invited to the stage to give it a whirl. (file photo)