Wayne Mendoza

Born: Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Filipino Music and Dance - Master

Wayne Mendoza (Master): I’ve become very proud of my cultural background and want to keep it alive...and because of my learning I am able to share and teach.
Lorena Barbosa (Apprentice): I think there are a lot of people my age trying to get more involved in the community.  I think that broadens everyone’s knowledge about the Filipino culture...and it gives us a little bit more pride in who we are...

Filipino Music and Dance

In Hawai‘i there is an active community of performers who  are involved in preserving their Filipino heritage through music and dance. Students are taught to respect and continue the dances of the tribal peoples, as well as the dances of Muslim and Spanish origin. From Luzon in the north to Mindanao in the south there is a great variety of languages, styles of dress, religious customs and cultures. Filipino dance traditions draw upon this rich ethnic heritage.