Viva "Samut-Sari TMP"
by Virgie Russell
Filipino's love of music and dance is very much alive and very well exemplified by the newest cultural group in Auckland - the Samut-Sari Traditional and Modern Performers of New Zealand, commonyl known as "Samut-Sari TMP". Still very much in its infancy, having only conglomerated in April this year, this independent, non-profit group where the majority rule of its members is the driving force for its direction, is composed of ladies and youth whose burning desire is to dance and sing and to propagate the group's goals and aspirations for their benefit and enjoyment. It's main objectives are to promote traditional and modern performing arts of Philippine culture to New Zealand and general audiences as well as to foster social and cultural relationship within the group, to the wider Filipino community and to other cultural organizations.
Samut-sari TMP's performance coordinator is Virginia Russell and its administrative team is composed of Trinni Maddison - choreographer; Maria Nanette Ando - secretary; Helen Lees - treasurer; Bing Ibarra - costume coordinator. Other full time active members are Nikki Criglington, Jenny Currameng, Lucy Goodson, Lulu Lauron, Luchie Reyes, Carina Worboys and Susan Zanoria. Full time active youth members are Franz and Vincent Amiscua, Lexie Ando, Jeriel and Lyza Ibarra, Jan Magalong and Carezza Zanoria. There are also a few male and female adult and youth associates and new members who help to make the group vibrant, and this includes husbands, partners and families of members who support the group's endeavours willingly and wholeheartedly.
The group has already conducted several fundraising initiatives to come up with corresponding costumes which are appropriate to their dance repertoire. Dance routines for ladies and youth are practiced regularly and in future will include some numbers for men and boys. New members are most welcome and anyone who wishes to jpin the group may contact any active Samut-Sari TMP member.
Performances to date include guest appearances at Filipino community affairs like the Filipino Society Inauguration in April; the Santacruzan-Flores de Mayo Festival in May and the Philippine Independence Day Celebrations in June. The group has also performed for the North Shore Life Church in their celebration of "40 days of Purpose" in May; did a presentation of Filipino culture through dance and music in support of Meadowbank Parisj Church's fundraising for their FIlipino Mission in Alaminos, Pangasinan in June; took part in the celebration of the 40th year installation of the Parish Priest in Glen Eden Parish Church in July; as well as the "Mid-Winter Dinner nd Dance" birthday bash for some of the officers and members of the Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy who celebrated their birthday in August.
Samut-Sari TMP's official launch which was timed for the 40th birthday of its choreographer, Trinni Maddison was done on the 7th of August and was attended by selected guests from the North, East, West, South and other parts of Greater Auckland. Trinni's family from Australia also graced the occasion which was a memorable night of Filipino food, traditional and modern dances and songs performed by the Samut-Sari TMP ladies and youth, modern hip-hop dance performances by invited special guests, and of course the grooviest disco dancing of the year. The group's signature Celebration Dance and Cha-cha Slide Line Dance was a huge hit with guests, young and old alike, including at least half a dozen grandmothers, and got all those feet shuffling and bums wiggling until after midnight. That was a real show of what partying is all about.
Future performances include the Gaya-gaya Puto-maya Pinoy Idol quest late this year and the International Festival in March next year to name a few.