This summer, the Cheshire East Filipino Community’s barrio fiesta witnessed a spectacular celebration of Filipino heritage, as the Yorkshire Filipino Group (YFG) Cultural Dance Troupe brought to life Pintados—a bold and dramatic dance inspired by the tattooed warrior tribes of the Visayas. The piece, a creative imagining of an encounter between the fierce Pintados and the noble Maharlikans of Luzon, offered a riveting blend of tradition, storytelling, and movement that left audiences inspired and moved.
Performed as part of a broader cultural project by Creative Hearts United, Pintados goes beyond entertainment—it’s a bold reclamation of Filipino pre-colonial identity and a celebration of the Philippines’ diverse tribal heritage. Through the rhythm of indigenous beats, symbolic gestures, and dynamic choreography, the dancers transported the audience back to a time of valor, spiritual expression, and community strength.
From Vision to Stage: A Collaborative Masterpiece
The development of Pintados began as early as March 2025, with a collaborative team of choreographers—Teb Licos, Revson Ignacio, Jhade Umali, Vhie Linford, and Emma Chu—who brought their artistic visions together to shape the narrative and movement of the piece. Costume designer Cherry Mullins meticulously crafted striking tribal wear that honoured both Visayan and Luzon aesthetics, while Ronald Chu designed evocative props that helped bring the ancient setting to life.
This meticulously planned cultural initiative was part of Creative Hearts United’s mission to empower the British-Filipino community—especially the youth—through the arts. The Pintados tour began at the much-anticipated London barrio fiesta, organized by TFC Europe and the Philippine Centre, before continuing to community celebrations across the UK.
Meet the 2025 YFG Cultural Dance Troupe
This year’s YFG Cultural Dance Troupe featured a dynamic mix of performers—young and young-at-heart—whose passion and commitment brought Pintados to the stage. In alphabetical order, the 2025 troupe includes:
Cherry, Chryza, Cyrus, Dominick, Emma, Emmalyn, Ethel, Gigie, Girlie, Jason B, Jason W, Jessica, Jhade, Luisa, Raeanne, Ren, Revson, Steven, Tesy, Tony, and Vhie
Each member brought their own energy, discipline, and cultural pride into the spotlight—demonstrating the power of community-driven cultural expression.
A Journey of Identity and Connection
For many of the participants, Pintados was more than just a performance—it was a transformative journey. Through months of rehearsals, community workshops, and shared meals, the project nurtured not only dance and performance skills, but also intergenerational bonds, self-confidence, and a deeper appreciation of Filipino heritage.
Backed by Creative Hearts United, the project was supported in part by generous sponsors, individual donors, and Leeds City Council’s Cultural Investment Programme. This crucial funding enabled access to studio spaces, materials, and logistics needed for the group to tour and present Pintados to new audiences.
Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future
As Pintados continues to make its rounds across UK Filipino communities, it stands as a proud reminder of who we are and where we come from. In the face of globalization and cultural assimilation, projects like this serve a vital role in preserving and sharing Philippine heritage, fostering pride among second- and third-generation Filipinos in the diaspora.
In every beat, every leap, and every symbol painted on skin, Pintados tells a story of courage, resilience, and identity—a story that continues to echo through the generations, thanks to the unwavering spirit of the YFG Cultural Dance Troupe and the community that supports them.
