ABOUT US
HISTORY
In May of 1992, San Francisco students and teachers came together to form a group that celebrates Philippine culture and tradition. From this group, LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble was born and founded by Artistic Director, Rudi Soriano. Since the very first presentation at San Francisco State University's McKenna Theatre, the mission of LIKHA, which means "creation" in Tagalog, is to collect and preserve indigenous Philippine art forms as expressed in music, literature, dance, arts, crafts, and attire.
This mission is realized through research, education, performance, collecting and curating, community outreach, and youth development.
FOUNDER, RUDI SORIANO
LIKHA's founder has an extensive background and expertise in traditional Pilipino movement. A former soloist with the renowned Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company in Manila, Rudi also trained with Alice Reyes Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Company.
In Paris, Rudi studied under Lianne Dayde of Paris Opera Ballet and trained with Rosella Hightower's modern dance company in Cannes, France. Rudi choreographed Budong, Peace Pact for the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Dance Company in 1993, as well as dance pieces for San Francisco State University's Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor (PACE), UC Berkeley's Pilipino American Association (PAA), and UC Santa Cruz's Filipino Student Association (FSA).
In 2001, Rudi was honored with the Pilipino community's Pamana Award for Folk Dance Arts Education. In 2007 he was awarded an outstanding choreographer award by World Arts West, the organizers of the acclaimed San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. In 2018, Rudi was nominated an Insadora Duncan award for "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography" for his original piece, Birds in Flight. In 2019, Rudi received the Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award from World Arts West.
FULL PRODUCTIONS
With LIKHA's vast archive of research, and through the wealth of knowledge and experience from our founder, Rudi Soriano, we translate our findings into original theatrical concepts for the stage. LIKHA has been fortunate enough to develop numerous full-length works over the years and present them on stages across San Francisco.
Glimpses of
Philippine Culture
1992
Rituals and Traditions
1997
Alamat
2003
Saludo
2012
Indarapatra
1993
Bayan Ko
1998
Lakbay Indak Awit
2004
Saling Lahi
2014
Pamana
1994
Sayaw Pilipino
1999
Parangal
2006
Karangalan
2017
Anyo
1995
Pintig
2001
Pasasalamat
2007
A Glimpse of Philippine Culture
1996
Dekada
2002
Ritwal
2010
Kaisahan Unidad
2019