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ELLE KARAYAN ᜃᜇᜌᜈ᜔ | Indigenous is the Future

@ellekarayan

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By: @msellekarayan | Pinay Owned
#indigenousisthefuture #sustainable
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Diasporic clothing rooted in Indigenous wisdom

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A few moments from Darat, by House of Gongs that brings Filipino history, culture and Indigenous traditions to life through music, dance, fashion and storytelling.

There is so much beauty in this production, but also a painful history beneath it. Set against the legacy of the Sakadas who came to Hawaiʻi to work on the sugar plantations, Darat explores what generations of Filipinos have carried, preserved and passed down.

A little behind the scenes: performances by the incredible dancers and musicians, fashion by Elle Karayan, and spoken word by Brian Adrias. Music for this reel by Lotus Sky.

Not pictured: my panel, What We Carry, with Sakada descendants Ashton Obrera and Chef Eric Pascual, whose perspectives on family, identity and cultural inheritance added another dimension to the experience. I’ll follow up with that later.

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DARAT was created by @houseofgongs @msellekarayan in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the #Sakadas in Hawai’i. It offers a timely and rooted reflection on Filipino history in the islands. The production brings this history into the present through a contemporary lens for a new generation, with a predominantly Filipino diasporic cast and creative community. It is the first production of its kind in Honolulu to honor this history through the convergence of dance, @ellekarayan fashion, @houseofgongs music, ritual, and embodied storytelling.

Congrats @msellekarayan @houseofgongs @ellekarayan on amazing show! We hope that you’ll take this ALL ORIGINAL show (music, clothes, choreography) on the road so more people can experience what we were able to the last couple of days! Bravo 👏🏽
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#fahm #filipinoamericanhistorymonth #darat #inherpurpose

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I’ve been preparing to moderate a panel at House of Gongs’ Darat entitled “What We Carry,” where I’ll be speaking with musician Ashton Obrero and Chef Eric Pascual, two direct descendants of the Sakadas.

Earlier this week, I had the chance to revisit Hawaiʻi’s Plantation Village, where I was reminded of the arduous working conditions and often solitary lives of the Sakadas who came to Hawaiʻi to work on the sugar plantations.

Their experiences were shared in many ways by the Manongs of California and the Alaskeros who traveled north to work in Alaska’s salmon canneries. These were men who left their families and homes in the Philippines in search of opportunity, only to encounter exploitation, discrimination, and profound isolation.

And yet, they built communities. They organized, fought for their rights, preserved their traditions, and laid the groundwork for generations of Filipino Americans who would follow.

This year marks 120 years since the first Sakadas arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1906. It’s an opportunity not only to honor their sacrifices, but to ask how much of their history we actually know, how it continues to shape us, and what we have a responsibility to carry forward.

That’s what I hope we’ll explore at Darat.

Thanks to Lydia and Ron for inviting me to share and participate in this moment. And thanks to Jenn from In Her Purpose for walking this journey with me.

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One more day! See you all at Darat!

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A huge Mahalo to our incredible presenter, the East-West Center, for generously providing the space for this celebration and for believing in what we do. This milestone is dedicated to the DARAT, we couldn't have brought this vision to life without your support and belief in our community.

Tomorrow is move in day and we will transform the space into a ceremonial space for all of you!

Performance Schedule & Location
Saturday, October 17: 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 18: 3:00 PM

Venue: Keoni Auditorium, Imin International Conference Center, Jefferson Hall, East-West Center (Honolulu, HI)

Join us as we take the stage! We can't wait to celebrate FAHM and Indigenous People's Month with you all!

Video/Photo: @teejay.travels

#DARAT #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FAHM #FilipinoDiaspora #HonoluluEvents

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On behalf of the entire team behind DARAT, we want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude for your generous support and belief in our vision.

Bringing a production like #DARAT to life is a journey that requires passion, dedication, and partners who share a commitment to meaningful storytelling and community. The support from East-West Center, New Music USA, and Ho'akea Source goes far beyond backing. It serves as the very foundation that allows our creative vision to take flight.

Thank you for standing with us and making this possible. We cannot wait to welcome you to the show and share this experience with you.

With immense gratitude and warm regards,

DARAT Team

#FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FilipinoDiaspora #HonoluluEvents

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Discover what’s happening around Hawai‘i this October for Filipino American History Month! 🇵🇭

From movie screenings and community cleanups to organization renewals and food events, here’s our growing list of ways to celebrate and connect.

This year’s theme, “Beyond the Margins: Centering Intersectional Filipino American Histories,” invites us to recognize the many voices and experiences that shape our shared history. Support local Filipino organizations as we honor our stories and continue making history together.

This list includes events submitted, found, or shared through community collaborations and is not exhaustive. Have an event to add? Message or email us!

Follow us to learn more about and what goes on in our community.

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Answering the call of the ancestors through movement.

To bring this story to life, @msellekarayan has gathered a dedicated group of curious and engaged artists and culture bearer who have poured their entire heart, mind, and soul into Darat. Grounded in lineage, they walk and dance to honor the paths carved before them.

Meet the powerful ensemble bringing DARAT to life on stage:

Celesdina Reyes • Dianne Deauna • Eiren Tamayo
Hailey Martinez • Jessalyn Torres • Jessica Gacuma-Bonds
Jessica Pasao • Jose “Pow” Taton, Jr. • Justine Valdez
Katrina von Kriegenbergh • Kawayan Bolick Ong • Lawrence Mallari
Lorelei Harrel • Luna Querian • Malia Rivera
Stephany Sollera • Tara Sakamoto • Van Rimando

Witness their labor of love as they breathe life into four sustainable fashion collections by @ellekarayan, set to live contemporary kulintang music.

🗓️ Dates & Times:
• October 17 at 6:00 PM
• October 18 at 3:00 PM

📍 Location:
Keoni Auditorium, Imin Center (Jefferson Hall) — Honolulu, HI

🎟️ Tickets available now at the link in bio! Join us in honoring their dedication this #FAHM.

#FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FilipinoDiaspora #HonoluluEvents #Sakada DARAT

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Where Indigenous traditions meet modern expression on the runway.

To honor Filipino American History Month, our interactive fashion show weaves together Indigenous movement, live music, and sustainable design, brought to life by a power-house team of guest artists, cultural practitioners, and beauty innovators.

Meet the guest artists joining us on stage and behind the scenes:

Al-Raffy Harun – Igal Master Artist, Tawi-Tawi
Jae Tioseco – Pangalay Practitioner, San Francisco
Daniel Bumanglag – Lead Makeup Artist
Jon Luigi Caña – Influencer & Model
Kuya Istilo - Content Creater & Theater Actor

From master-level traditional dance to cutting-edge visual styling, these visionaries complete the world of DARAT alongside four sustainable fashion collections from @ellekarayan.

🗓️ Dates & Times:
• October 17 at 6:00 PM
• October 18 at 3:00 PM

📍 Location:
Keoni Auditorium, Imin Center (Jefferson Hall) — Honolulu, HI

🎟️ Tickets are moving fast! Claim yours via the link in our bio. Bring your loved ones to experience this moving #FAHM celebration.

#FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FilipinoDiaspora #HonoluluEvents #Sakada DARAT

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Tayo na! 🇵🇭

Maraming salamat/agyamanak la unay/mahalo nui to our @houseofgongs mentors @msellekarayan & @kulintronica for their contribution to this amazing @dreamworks film @forgottenislandmovie!

Thanks to @magnoliahawaii for hosting this private screening and providing ono ube icecream!

It’s an honor to have spent time and space with indigenous pamilya who have contributed their talent, musicianship, and cultural insight to such a huge accomplishment.

Music & cultural contributors:
Bawer Pamilya
@msellekarayan
@kulintronica
@19wawaysaway69
@dashofaridgee
Joel Ganlal
& of course all the other Pilipino powerhouses like @hermusicofficial, @rubyibarra, @msleasalonga, @carlangelomusic, @jokoy & @nathanmdavid just to name a few.

Forgotten Islands follows to pinay besties on their journey to a mythological world they’ve only heard childhood stories about. In theatres now!

Happy Filipino American History Month 🤙🏾

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Inspiring to feel seen in the new movie Forgotten Island. Love that our community was in it. Congrats to @nathanmdavid for the amazing scoring and tracks. Legend. Also to the @houseofgongs community. Congrats to yall @19wawaysaway69 @dashofaridgee @bellorin_kul_boom @pakaraguian_kulintang_ensemble @ellekarayan @kulintronica, @carlangelomusic @rubyibarra, Joel. If we build it. We will come. #gonggang

#forgottenisland #philippines #gong #kulintang

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The soundscape of DARAT

In Ilocano, Darat mean sand or land. To honor Filipino American History Month, our music ensemble has crafted an immersive auditory journey weaving traditional Kulintang instrumentation with modern sounds, spoken word, and Oceanic rhythms to ground our dancers and culture bearers.

Meet the musical visionaries bringing DARAT to life:

Kevin Calamayan – Music Director
Ron Querian – Music Lead & Executive Producer
Logan Knight – Composer & Music Lead
Wilbur Shansey – Wind & Percussion
Lotus Sky – Vocals & Composer
Brian Adrias – Spoken Word Poet

Experience live contemporary kulintang music echoing the depths of our diaspora.

🗓️ October 17 | 6:00 PM
🗓️ October 18 | 3:00 PM
📍 Keoni Auditorium, Imin Center (Jefferson Hall) — Honolulu, HI

🎟️ Tickets available now via the link in our bio. All ages welcome. Join us as we gather, honor, and celebrate together!

#FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #FilipinoDiaspora #HonoluluEvents #Sakada #DARAT

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