Fil-Am Gen Z dancers put a hip-hop spin on tinikling in viral “24K Magic” routine
Filipino-American dancers blend tinikling steps, bamboo poles and hip-hop to Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” in a viral performance in South Carolina.
A group of Filipino-American Gen Z dancers honored their roots with a performance combining tinikling with streetdance, earning praise online.
In a viral video posted on September 20, the young dancers showcased a routine that mixed hip-hop with tinikling steps, complete with bamboo poles. The number was set to Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.”
Uploader Liezel Perez Bell said the video was taken at the Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia Gala in South Carolina, USA.
The traditional dance from Leyte gained renewed popularity worldwide amid its inclusion in the Dreamworks animated film Forgotten Island, which features Filipino characters exploring local folklore.
Netizens praised the group for taking inspiration from Filipino culture and keeping the practice alive even in the USA, calling the routine “modern tinikling.” Some diaspora Filipinos, however, advised against referring to the routine as “tinikling” to avoid disrespect.
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