Palau’an Bird Call-Huni Ng Tandikan by Jay Loyola, 5 min video excerpts

Palau’an Bird Call is a powerful dance drama rooted in Palawan Philippines’ indigenous dance, music, healing practices, and the beautiful but elusive tandikan peacock. The tribal leader, Masikampo, falls gravely ill, and the shaman Balyan Libuado is unable to cure him. She calls on the deities of the elements for help: water, fire, wind, wood/earth. Each attempts to heal Masikampo, without success. Their activity inadvertently opens the way for the deity of darkness to appear. In a trance state, the shaman realizes that the song of the Tandikan bird deity has the power to align all energies of the universe with Masikampo’s physical and spiritual energies and make him well again. The Tandikan spirit arrives, but the deity of darkness initially blocks and swallows his healing power. Through his song, the Tandikan restores the energy balance, bringing all elements into alignment. With the cosmic energies in balance, the leader is healed, and the people gather to celebrate. Performed by: Amada