Filipino drill team is in step with its culture

TOPPENISH, Wash. -- The first show took place in the parking lot.

After the instruments were unloaded and with the dancers in full costume, a drummer started tapping out a steady beat for the young women to move to.

In front of a growing crowd of parents and Filipino community members, the dancers followed the beat with precise, synchronized motions that included stepping quickly through waving long bamboo poles being clapped together.

This was only the warmup, and 20 minutes later, the group of about 40 young men and women who form part of Seattle's Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team performed again for a bigger crowd at Heritage University.

About 200 people gathered for the dancing Sunday afternoon, which was part of a cultural diversity festival for Lower Valley parents who've completed classes on how to better push their children toward higher education.

"These reunions are for all of us who have graduated to ask each other questions about how're doing with our children now," said Luz Balderas, a Sunnyside mother who participated in the first Parent Academy session about two years ago. "And they're cultural because we live in a multicultural area. I liked seeing how disciplined and concentrated the dancers are."

The academies are organized by the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, better known as GEAR-UP, at the University of Washington.

From 35 to 40 Lower Valley parents participate in each academy, which last two weeks and offer eight hours of classes, said program coordinator Dori Peralta Baker. Many of the parents haven't finished high school, and the classes teach everything from navigating college applications to the difference between the PSAT (a college entrance preparatory exam) and FAFSA (an application for federal financial aid).

Peralta Baker said academy graduates -- who continue participating in workshops after the program ends -- had asked for cultural entertainment during their reunions.

Bringing the Seattle drill team -- which will perform again today for Wapato's Harvest Festival -- was also a good opportunity for members of the Lower Valley's Filipino community to enjoy traditional dancing and percussion.

Other events today in Wapato include the annual Harvest Festival community parade, which begins at Wapato High School and motors through downtown. Between 30 and 50 floats are expected.

Rick Devilla, a Yakima parent whose daughter participated with the Seattle team in the past, called the team a good way for young Filipinos people to embrace their culture.

"You can see very much the values and the discipline in the dance," Devilla said. "It's important to know something about the values in a community, and it's a source of pride."

Many audience members had participated in the Youth Drill Team decades ago, when they were teenagers.

Frances Brady of Seattle came to Toppenish to watch her 17-year-old son, Rick, play percussion in the group.

"These kids can contribute their talents to this drill team," said Brady, who danced on the team when she was young. "What helps is they're proud to do what they're doing."

* Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 509-577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.

Watch them perform

Who: Seattle's Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team

When: After the Harvest Day parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at Wapato High School, 1103 S. Wasco Ave.

Where: Lions Community Park in Wapato