About Us

History & community

History

In May 1992, San Francisco students and teachers formed a group that celebrates Philippine culture and tradition. Artistic Director Rudi Soriano founded LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble from this group.

Our Mission

Since the first presentation at San Francisco State University’s McKenna Theatre, the mission of LIKHA, which means “creation” in Tagalog, is to collect and preserve indigenous Philippine art forms as expressed in music, literature, dance, arts, crafts, and attire.

This mission is realized through research, education, performance, collecting and curating, community outreach, and youth development.

Founder

Rudi Soriano

LIKHA’s founder has an extensive background and expertise in the traditional Pilipino movement. A former soloist with the renowned Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company in Manila, Rudi also trained with Alice Reyes Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Company.

In Paris, Rudi studied under Lianne Dayde of Paris Opera Ballet and trained with Rosella Hightower’s modern dance company in Cannes, France. Rudi choreographed Budong, Peace Pact for the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Dance Company in 1993, as well as dance pieces for San Francisco State University’s Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor (PACE), UC Berkeley’s Pilipino American Association (PAA), and UC Santa Cruz’s Filipino Student Association (FSA).

In 2001, Rudi was honored with the Pilipino community’s Pamana Award for Folk Dance Arts Education. In 2007 he was awarded an outstanding choreographer award by World Arts West, the organizers of the acclaimed San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. In 2018, Rudi was nominated for an Insadora Duncan award for “Outstanding Achievement in Choreography” for his original piece, Birds in Flight. In 2019, Rudi received the Malonga Casquelourd Lifetime Achievement Award from World Arts West.