Quick photoshoot by the baggage claim. (Photo credit: Justine M. and Jonathan Aburquez)

In 2020, Robbie Herrera, artistic director of Kariktan Dance Company (KDC), a Fil-Am cultural group based in the San Francisco Bay Area, received an email from the World Folklore Festival President/ Director Dragan Sajic, inviting Kariktan to participate in the upcoming Fall season of the festival. He had found Kariktan’s website, as well as videos of Kariktan’s performances on social media. Robbie, along with KDC’s choreographer, Stephanie Herrera, presented the opportunity to the group, immediately receiving “yes” from their performing artists. 

The World Folklore Festival, held in Cote D'Azur, France in the spring and fall, is considered the best and biggest folk dance festival with 180 participants from all over the world annually. Sajic is of Serbian descent and owns Liguria Travel in Diano Marina, Italy. The festival is organized by Liguria Travel, in cooperation with the cities of Diano Marina, San Remo, Italy, and Cannes in France. Fragonard Perfumery sponsored the event.

As COVID-19 surged and spread in 2020, however, travel plans and performances were put on hold worldwide. Kariktan had to cease rehearsals. That didn’t stop the communication between Robbie and Dragan. The two stayed in touch, and when travel restrictions between France and the US were eased, the group was immediately invited once more, securing Kariktan’s spot in the festival for the Fall 2022 season.

KDC performing artists inspecting and decorating bamboo poles outside of their hotel. Bamboo poles were bought in the United Kingdom and shipped to the hotel due to the luggage restrictions. Unlike our usual 10 ft. bamboo poles, these ones are 8 ft. tall. (Photo credit: Jonathan Aburquez)

Founded in 2004, Kariktan is a registered nonprofit based in Concord, California. Its mission is to promote Philippine Culture through dance and music. The troupe’s current membership is 20 young adults ranging in age from 16 to 40, and their families. The young Filipino Americans learn about the cultural traditions of their homeland and experience the richness and diversity of their native culture, instilling pride in their heritage. In many ways, folk dancing, the use of native costumes, playing instruments, and singing Filipino songs, teach them not only about tradition, but also occupy their time indulging in meaningful activities, developing confidence, social skills, and respect for their elders, their peers, and their ethnicity.

Kariktan’s founding artistic director is Polly Manalo-Herrera, a former dancer and choreographer of the world-famous Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. With her 46 years of experience in Filipino folk dancing, she has been instrumental in bringing Kariktan to its current stature as one of the best-known and most sought-after dance troupes in the Bay Area. Herrera has since stepped back from active management of Kariktan, bequeathing the artistic director role to her son, Robbie Herrera, and the choreographing duties to her daughter, Stephanie.

Stephanie H. (Dance Director), Robbie H. (Artistic Director), Kent M. (Flag Bearer), and Rudy S. (Banner Bearer) take a photo with the trophy and plaque commemorating Kariktan’s participation in the Fall 2022 season of the World Folklore Festival. (Photo credit: Robbie Herrera)

At the World Folklore Festival, which took place in October 2022, Kariktan was the first dance company to be invited to introduce Philippine folk dance to its European audience. Its performances in the festival were so well received that Kariktan was invited again for the 2023 season, Robbie Herrera said.