CAST & CREW

Potri Ranka Manis: Tradition Bearer / Founder and Artistic/Executive Director of Kinding Sindaw

A tradition-bearer of the Maranao people (People of the Lake), born and raised in Mindanao, she is the daughter of the late Sultan a Gaus of the Royal House of Borocot, a true modern-day princess. As an artist-activist, she campaigns tirelessly for the self-determination of the Moro and Lumad communities of the Philippines and other indigenous peoples around the world.

A NYFA Fellow and artist teacher at Lotus Music & Dance, Potri is a playwright (Lemlunay), award-winning poet (Sandstorm in Jeddah), actor (Disoriented), producer (Newyorkustan), and practitioner of the Theatre of the Oppressed. She has conceived, choreographed, and directed many off-Broadway productions, most recently Kinding Sindaw’s 2018 Mindanao: The Legend of Tabunaway, Mamalu, and Their Descendants. She also wrote and performed a one-woman show, The Worry Beads, a tribute to the 9/11 disaster. In addition to her artistic life, she is a board-certified medical-surgical registered nurse and nurse educator; committed to the health and well-being of her community, she created the healing modality, Resilient Ancestral Nurturing Knowledge and Arts (R.A.N.K.A).

Malaika Queaño: Co-Executive Officer

A first-generation Filipino American born to Maranao (People of the Lake) and Tagalog parents in New York City. She is a community organizer and cultural artist of southern Philippine, classical Indian, and Indonesian dance. She has been studying Bharata Natyam with Kamala Cesar, disciple of T. Balasaraswati, since elementary school. She has also studied Indonesian traditional dance with Amalia Suryani, founder of the Saung Budaya Indonesian dance company. She started performing at the young age of 2 as a dancer in Kinding Sindaw, a NYC-based nonprofit dance theater troupe dedicated to asserting, preserving and re-creating the oral history of the indigenous peoples of Mindanao, Southern Philippines. She developed into the main musician and Co-Executive Director of Kinding Sindaw through training by master kulintang artist, the late Danongan Kalanduyan. She advocates for the Maranao people to return to their beloved Marawi, to which they tie their identity as the People of the Lake (Ranao) through the #Love4Marawi social media campaign to spread awareness of the 2017 Marawi Siege and the ongoing effects on the people it displaced. In addition to her cultural work and activism, Malaika serves as the Certification Analyst at Women Business Enterprise Council Metro NY.

Sean Devare: Associate Director

A New York-based interdisciplinary director, designer, performer, musician and writer. His solo performance project 'First Violin,' premiered at HERE Arts Center and United Solo Festival, and was recently developed for Mabou Mines' SUITE/Space digital festival. Born in Chicago to Chinese and Indian immigrant parents, Sean’s work explores questions of cultural inheritance and  hybridization through reinterpreting folklore and Asian diasporic performance traditions, from mask-making and  shadow puppetry to Carnatic violin. He has worked on original collaborative pieces with artists in Singapore, Ecuador, and Sicily, and performed in NYC at BAM, Signature, New Victory, Target Margin,The Flea and more. Sean also works as a freelance designer, with an emphasis on illustrated posters and mask fabrication, which have been featured in Off Broadway and regional theaters. Founding member of Trinacria Theatre Company and The Transit Ensemble. Sean will be the upcoming Arthur Leavitt Jr. Artist-In-Residence at Williams College. MFA Theatre, Sarah Lawrence College; BFA Illustration, RISD. www.seandevare.com

Mars Neri (they/ them): Artist / Stage Manager

Dedicated to supporting those who want to tell their personal stories and creating community through social justice oriented art. Most of their work is with the Fordham Theatre program, but they’ve also done work with Signature Theatre DC, the Song Collective, Leviathan Lab, and worked on the Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Abridged fundraiser for Stop AAPI Hate. They’re devoted to doing work that brings unheard voices and untold stories to light.

Sarah Samonte: Multidisciplinary Creative / Stage Manager

Based in NYC, she received an AS from LaGuardia Community College in 2019. She has been a Freelance SM and production human since then. Her recent credits include Blopera Untitled (Mercury Store), UN General Assembly SM, Nero Sm/1st AD, Maria Reads A Book:Sweaty Power Hour (Coney Island USA), Dear Listener (Long Wharf Theater), Breathe (NYU - NSB), Chaos @26…Or Maybe Its Not So Bad (Moxie Arts NY), Mia:SBTC (LPAC), RaTs:SubwaySongs&Stories (Pace). 

I have a long way to go because I have come so far. I was born in New York City and was raised in Arizona. My parents' roots are from Manila and Igbaras. As I’ve come into myself and embarked on my stage management and production journey, getting in touch with myself has created this longing for connection and recognition. I’m honored to have been welcomed with open hearts and arms to Kinding Sindaw. They were glad to receive insight into my experience as a working Filipino in the NYC theater scene and retail background. KS bonded with me from the first time I ever called a performance for them. 

Most underestimate the behind-the-scenes magic of productions, however I have learned there is an art to working under pressure while still being able to reassure the integrity of the experience for everyone involved. Thank you for your time and undivided attention!

Caylen C. Enriquez Montemayor: Assistant Stage Manager

Proud Filipino/American born and raised in New Jersey. She thrives in artist communities who also share the same beliefs at heart. She has a bachelors in the arts of musical theater and is a freelance stage manager/performer/musician. Caylen is a co-owner of a non-profit organization called “The Artist Avenue”. 

They are a local theater that teaches ages 7-18, different levels of musical theater. Caylen has performed at prudential center with musician/performer John Faddis. In her musical theater performing life, she has had the privilege to have played Mrs. Lovetts in “Sweeney Todd”, Woman 2 in “And The World Goes ‘Round” and Gingy in “Shrek The Musical” and has experience in singing different genres. She hopes to be a vessel to help share the message of peoples stories, life, and lift up our voices.

Ben Manley: Concert sound engineer / Location Recordist / Audio systems designer

Has worked with many performing artists in NYC and overseas.  Recent projects include Neo Muyanga at CARA, Matana Roberts at Miller Theatre, Carl Craig at Dia:Beacon, Josh Frankel at Standard Space, Catherine Christer Hennix at 99 Scott, Jung Hee Choi at SWPK Gallery, Park Jiha at St. Peter’s Chelsea, and Maria Zollo at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  Ben is happy to be working again with Potri Ranka Manis.

Flor DeChavez: Costume Assistant

From Batangas City, Philippines and have been here since 1997. She currently resides in Queens. She takes care of her nephew as they have Robinstine Syndrome and also a home health aide for seniors. She also assists with costume making for Kinding Sindaw.

Hao Bai: Lighting Designer

A multidisciplinary designer in lighting, sound, video projection, and world-building (environment) for live and virtual performances. Hao’s work has been seen internationally at Asia Culture Center (South Korea), WuZhen Festival (China), in the states at Woolly Mammoth Theater(DC), TheatreWorks Hartford (CT), BCS (MD), Harvard (MA), Goodman Theatre(IL), PTC (PA), CAC (Cincinnati), Stanford, and in New York at The Public, Skirball, Tisch, Bushwick Starr, LaMaMa, JACK, The Flea, HERE, 59E59, A.R.T/New York Theatres, etc. Recent: Virtual: Final Boarding Call (Ma-Yi Theater+WP Theater); Nocturne in 1200s (Ping Chong). Lighting: Waterboy and the Mighty World (Bushwick Starr & The Public); Lazarus (Ping Chong). Projection: Electronic City (NYIT Awards). Sound: Walden (TheatreWorks–CT Critics Circle Award). Lighting & Sound: 7Mins (HERE). Lighting/Sound/Projection: Arden (The Flea). Production Design: and the grass grows (Harvard University). Upcoming: Where We Belong (The Public). https://www.haobaidesign.com/

Nonilon V. Queaño: Musician

Well-recognized poet, playwright, fiction and songwriter, he has won awards in many literary contests, including the Palanca, CCP, and Talaang Ginto, and was appointed as UPCB’s Artist-in-Residence in 1981-1983 by the University of the Philippines system, in recognition of his achievements, literary production, and contributions to Philippine Literature. As songwriter, he is best recognized for his work, “Alay Kay Macliing Dulag” which he wrote in honor of the Kalinga Chieftain and hero who gave his life to the Cordillera Peoples struggle against the Chico River Dam Project during the Marcos regime. In 1990 while on leave to complete his masteral and Ph.D. degrees, his musical interest and talents brought him to join Kinding Sindaw as a kulintang artist and consultant. He continued to teach with DECL, UP Diliman, upon his return from the US and until his formal retirement in 2012, although, his teaching extended until 2014. In 2018, his short story, “Migrante”, appeared in the UP Institute of Creative Writing, LIKHAAN Anthology, 40/40.  

Guro Frank Ortega: Martial Artist

Senior member of Kinding SIndaw and assists with the company’s martial arts training and scene choreography as well as music and tribal dance. He performed in major works including, Agama Niyog, Rajah Mangandiri, Lemlunay, Parang Sabil, Bemberan, and many other performances. He is the founder of Tirada Tirsia Kali Silat System, as well as Kinding Sindaw Dance Company. He promotes Philippine Martial Arts through seminars, workshops, and lectures. He trained under the guidance of Grand Master Tuhon Leo T. Gaje and has over 40 years experience in the martial arts. He continues his studies of oral traditions, music and dance of the Philippines to further reinforce his knowledge of the culture.

Hamza Razuman: Prologue / Dancer / Video Editor

Hamza was born in Long Island, New York and grew up in South Florida. He is of Maranao descent and growing up, he was heavily involved in his Filipino community. He attended the University of Florida where he studied film and television production.

Emily Goes: Prologue / Dancer

A proud Pinay, gratefully standing on the shoulders of those who came before her. Graduated from NYU Tisch in 2020, Emily works with Broadway Advocacy Coalition and co-conspires with The CRAFT Institute on their groundbreaking CRAFT Courses and restorative justice initiatives.

Margaret Marie Guzman: Prologue / Dancer

Filipina-American documentary filmmaker and multimedia journalist raised in Manila and New Jersey, and now based in New York City. She graduated from New York University in 2021, where she studied Global Liberal Studies with a Critical Creative Production and Documentary Film. Upon graduation, she started her career as a video journalist at Insider Inc. She is also an active member of the New York City-based dance and performance troupe, Kinding Sindaw. Whether she is making films or creating interactive, multimedia pieces, she aims to tell engaging, thought-provoking visuals stories with a social impact.

Brian Balayon: Prologue / Dancer

New York City born and raised Filipino-American. While pursuing his Bachelor’s degree  in Computer Science from the University at Buffalo, he was introduced to the Filipino folk dances through the perspective of Luzon at Filipino American Student Association, where he found a community of other Filipino-Americans and Filipinos from abroad. During his academic pursuits, Brian joined Kinding Sindaw to find a new community at home while gaining unfiltered insight on the rich heritage of Mindanao.

Vanessa Rappa: Prologue / Dancer

An interdisciplinary artist, exploring in and creating for the realms of poetry, music, theater, and movement as a poet, singer/song-writer, actor, and dancer. Their music, plays, and poetry have been presented by Undiscovered Countries, Judson Memorial Church, Pioneers Go East Collective, Nuyorican Poets Café, New York Theater Workshop open mic events, as well as Poetic Theater Productions as part of Love, Redefined, Together in Resilience, Poetic Lyricism, and more.  As much as they enjoy the structure of traditional theater, Vanessa seeks to further explore their capacity and impact of performance.

Andre Ignacio Dimapilis: Liaison / Dancer

Filipinx-American culture-bearing performance artist, sound facilitator, peaceful warrior.

His art-making in theatre, sound, movement, text, building relationships and rituals are in harmony with the truths that he lives as Filipinx-American, a male POC living in the current times working towards social and racial justice. Andre has been a member of Kinding Sindaw (KS), since 2014. KS has taught him the power of reclaiming, asserting, and preserving my ancestral traditions and practices within my waking life and art-making. He creates performance art focused on representing the Filipinx-American experience and its vast diaspora. Andre is the founder of Kalayaan Sound LLC. Kalayaan is the Filipinx word for freedom, using sound from indigenous and traditional instruments for participants to re-connect and re-member the freedom of their spirit. Andre infuses ancestral wisdom and indigenous knowledge for participants to listen with their body, connect with spirit, and have clear intentions during sound therapy sessions for a personalized and meaningful experience. Follow him on instagram @kalayaansoundllc. Rise up yo divine purpose-8+

Erno Hormillosa: Dancer

Born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines. For the last 30 years, Hormillosa has been actively involved in a variety of Filipino-American and LGBT organizations. He has used his many talents and generosity for social causes, many of which reach out to young gifted Filipino-Americans.

Hormillosa is a professional dancer who began training in folk, modern, tap, and ballet at the age of 9 at the Rosita Dureza Ballet School. He has also participated in workshops at the Philippines Cultural Center and the Asian American Dance Theater in New York. Hormillosa was a member and soloist for the renowned Folklorico Filipino Dance Company of New York since 1989. In recent years, Hormillosa has also worked extensively in theater and floral design. He has performed in New York City nightclubs, and has won eight major local and national talent shows and pageantries. He has been featured in various fashion shows and musical concerts. He is a recipient awardee in Arts and Culture from the Filipino Heritage Foundation Inc, “Dr. Jose P. Rizal Circle of Excellence Award in ARTS,” and Leadership Award in Cultural Arts from Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League.

Jameelah Rose Del Prado Lineses: Dancer 

New York-based film director recognized and supported by the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) as a foreign film director in the United States. She is also a martial artist, theater dancer and actress, musician, freelance film instructor, live camera operator, wedding videographer/filmmaker, who was born and raised in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She studied film at the New York Film Academy and graduated with the highest honors, with her studies sponsored by Princess Hala bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, one of the daughters of the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. For her work she has received multiple awards from different award-winning bodies like the International Film Festival Manhattan winning Best Cinematography for her work “ATAREEK” representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Filipino community in K.S.A. as well as one of the recipients of the “Ani Ng Dangal” under The National Commission for Culture and Arts (Presidential Award) as well as screened her films in New York, Houston, Manila and Jeddah, being the only non-Saudi and making history as the first Filipino female filmmaker in the latter.

Joseph Lineses: Dancer

Their hometown is Dingras, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Galera, Mindoro in the upper region of Luzon, Philippines. His mom is an Ilokana, his dad is a Mangyan by tribe. He was previously a part of “Mindanao the Legend” last 2018.  He took this immersion deeper and continued to learn about the culture and the medium of the art with Kinding Sindaw to allow the legends to live on forever. He expresses his love through dance movements, chants, and martial arts. He is also a part of a Filipino Martial Arts School in downtown Manhattan, NY.  He is currently working as a human resource specialist for medical professions.

Vivian Chow: Marketing Manager / Dancer

First exposed to Kinding Sindaw through her college friend, Malaika (does this name ring a bell?). She then proceeded to help the organization with their social media and slowly became more involved by learning the different indigenous tribes of the Philippines. She is of Burmese and Chinese descent and sees how an organization like Kinding Sindaw not only empowers the Filipino community but the Asian American community at large.

Amira Aziza: Dance Captain

The daughter of Potri Ranka Manis, Amira has been with Kinding Sindaw since 1999. She has been part of the cast in several La MaMa E.T.C./ Kinding Sindaw productions of Rajah Mangandiri in November 2000, Lemlunay in May 2003, Sultan Kudarat in December 2005, Bembaran in December 2007, Pandibulan in April 2010, Pagbabalik in April 2014, Tao Marayao in May 2017, and Mindanao: The Legend in June 2018. She also was a guest artist in the La MaMa Great Jones Repertory Co. production of Dionysus Filius Dei, at the opening of the Taipei Arts Festival in Taiwan in September 2006, which was directed and choreographed by Ellen Stewart.

Diane Camino: Dance Captain / Dancer

Has been with Kinding Sindaw since she was 14 years old. Her long history with Kinding Sindaw is solidified as one of the major Dance Captains with the organization. She has performed in all the Off Broadway production of Kinding Sindaw produced by LaMaMa,ETC (Rajah Mangandiri, Sultan Kudarat, Parang Sabil, Pandibulan, Bembaran, Pagbabalik, and Mindanao: The Legend of Tabunaway and Mamalu).

Ali Purpura: Creative Producer

Combining visual and literary arts with performance, Ali’s interdisciplinary practice emerges from the intersection of their Queer, Non-Binary identity and Sufi Muslim spiritual practice. Ali studied Art History at New York University, before earning an MA at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, where their genre-bending research on dance theorist Rudolph Laban won the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) award for “Outstanding Master’s Thesis.”

Jerome "Jae" Viloria (he/they): Development

A fierce queer and non-binary Fil-Am, joined Kinding Sindaw in 2018 as a performing artist, public health researcher, and most recently, Development Manager. Their familial roots are tied to Ilocos Sur and Bicol, and they are originally from Highland Mills, NY. Jae is joining Posaka to further embody the mission of KS and support his fellow artists from behind the scenes. Jae currently works for NYU School of Global Public Health as a Program Administrator of Public Health Practice, cultivating the next generation of public health leaders. In addition to their KS repertoire, Jae has 14 years of experience as a violinist and violist and 10 years of hip-hop/jazz funk styles.

Marie-Claire Piche

Co-founder and facilitator of the Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory (TOPLAB, 1990). She is Associate Professor Emerita of French at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.