Find Your Folklife – Arabelle Panganiban

We wear the sablay…

…to signify our commitment and passion in upholding the rich cultural heritage of our native land. It’s a sash made with fabrics from different regions of the Philippines. For each member, it represents their investiture—their solemn vow—to proclaim their Filipino identity to the world.

The Kalahi Philippine Folkloric Ensemble is a non-profit organization formed in 2009 to maintain, preserve and promote Philippine culture through the arts. We have showcased colorful traditions like the Santa Cruzan pageantry and Singkil dance with authentic costumes and indigenous musical instruments at annual events like the spring Pinoy Pride festival in downtown Las Vegas.

In the Philippines, a fiesta is typically a celebration held in honor of a patron saint. Here in Las Vegas, we gather to celebrate our local community and share its talents, and to instill a sense of pride in the younger generations. These performances represent our ancestry and unique identity as a race—the quintessential Filipino.

—Arabelle Panganiban,  Kalahi Philippine Folkloric Ensemble, Las Vegas