This year’s Philippine Independence Day celebrations in June, hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), featured a wealth of entertainment, including a Battle of the Bands competition, OFWs Got Talent contest, alongside special performances from visiting Filipino celebrities. 

Undoubtedly one of the highlights, however, was Kulay Pinoy (or Filipino colours in English) – a 500-strong dance group that took over Chater Road.

On a busy Sunday back in 2012, a conversation between the late Engr. Nazzer Ampang, a former Chairman of Philippine Alliance, and Leo Selomenio, Chairman of Global Alliance, discussed a very ambitious undertaking – putting together a never-before-seen dance group made up of 500 dancers. All dancing together, as one cohesive ensemble.

The logistics of this is staggering. “Kasama sa mga challenges namin sa Kulay Pinoy ay ang pag-recruit ng dancers, paghanap ng lugar na mapagpraktisan, paggawa ng costumes, at pagtipon tipon naming lahat na 500 dancers sa araw ng performance,” [Our challenges with Kulay Pinoy include recruiting dancers, looking for rehearsal space, sourcing the costumes, and organising all 500 performers on the performance day] shares Nympha Paras, Head Choreographer of Kulay Pinoy and Vice President of Cultural for Global Alliance, who has been working as a migrant worker in Hong Kong for more than 10 years.

It was six years on from that initial conversation between Leo and the late Nazzer that their vision for Kulay Pinoy finally came to fruition, with their very first performance taking place during the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebrations in 2018. “We named it Kulay Pinoy to represent the expression of colours from the Filipino culture. We have 50 different colours, each colour worn by 10 dancers, totalling 500. All the music we play is strictly Original Pilipino Music or OPM,” says Leo. 

“Kahit mainit na mainit o umuulan, tuloy pa din ang pagpraktis. Minsan nahihirapan kaming maghanap ng lugar kapag umuulan, pero sinisikap pa din namin na makapagpraktis. Ang mga dancers at mga officers ay talagang may dedikasyon sa pagsayaw at pagperform para maipamahagi sa mga manunuod ang ating kultura,” [Even when it is very hot or raining, the practice continues. Sometimes, we have a hard time looking for a rehearsal space, especially when it is raining, but we still try to make it work. The dancers and officers have a lot of dedication for the dance performance, it is a way for them to share our culture to others] shares Marites Nuval, President of Global Alliance and Head of Kulay Pinoy coordinating team. 

Every performance is around 20 minutes long, and the choreography must be structured in a way that ensures the dancers at the back also have a chance to be up front, showcasing everyone who takes part. “Laging bukas ang aking isip at tenga para sa inspirasyon. Kapag may naririnig ako na magandang tutugin na bagay sa sayaw o kapag may naiisip ako na dance steps sinusulat ko kaagad na para hindi ko makalimutan,” [My mind and ears are always open for inspiration. Whenever I hear a tune that goes well with movement or if I have an idea about a dance step, I try to write it down as soon as I can, so I won’t forget] Nympha says with a smile.

It takes four months of weekly rehearsals to organise the participants, map out the choreography, sort out the costumes, and edit the music before the performance is ready. Everyone involved with Kulay Pinoy undertake all this hard work voluntarily. “Minsan may mga community groups, mababait na tao, o madalas kami kami na din nina Chairman Leo ang nag-aambag ambag para sa patubig o kahit konting biskwit man lang sa mga dancers,” [Alongside ourselves and Chairman Leo, sometimes there are community groups and other kind-hearted people, who chip in to buy the dancers some water and biscuits] confesses Marites.

So, what do the Kulay Pinoy team get in return for their hard work? “They do it to share their joy of dancing with the audience,” Nympha shares. “We even have a few older dancers, who might not be able to do some of the movements that the other dancers do, but they still join every year. It is definitely worth it seeing all the beaming smiles from everyone.” 

So far, all their dances have been performed only for the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Chater Road, Central, given that 500 dancers need a lot of space. However, they are always open to invitations. “Pangarap ko ang makasayaw kami sa International Chinese New Year Night Parade sa Tsim Sha Tsui na ginaganap tuwing Chinese Lunar New Year dito sa Hong Kong. Kung matupad iyon, sobrang saya naming lahat na maibahagi ang kulturang Pilipino sa lahat,” [My dream is for us to perform at the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is held every Chinese Lunar New Year here in Hong Kong. If that does happen one day, we will all be very happy to be able to share our Filipino culture with everyone] Leo concludes.