cordillera gong festival

Gerry Dupingay is an FBI (Full-Blooded Ifugao) agent for peace and unity. Growing up in the rice paddies of Banaue, Ifugao he started dancing the Ifugao dance as early as 8 years old. Since then, he has participated in traditional dance campus competitions, from Elementary to College, and at festivals. He played the gongs and master the art of dancing the famous “dinuyya” and “Pagaddut” Ifugao native dances. Co-founding the CCE, USA in 2023 opened new doors for him to learn other Cordillera dances such as the “Tayaw,” “Torayan,” Takik, Bendian, and many more. His passion is to promote the Cordillera cultural heritage. He believes that the Cordillera dances also foster social connections, increase self-esteem and confidence, and instill a deep connection to the traditions.

MJ Milo-Payos hails from the Cordillera province of Benguet, Philippines. She and her family currently live in Jersey City, NJ, but she works in New York City. She is a nurse practitioner by profession, specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. Nursing has always been her passion, but apart from being a nurse, she has a passion for dancing & music. She started being involved in dance performances in elementary school, initially with folk dances, then Cordillera cultural dances in high school and college. In college, she was made to choose between dance/musical performances to help pay her tuition in nursing. She chose to focus on nursing full-time & musical performances part-time because she was granted a full nursing scholarship at Saint Louis University, Philippines.

While living in the US, she met people from the Cordillera region, Philippines, with common interests in performing Cordillera dances. The group started a cultural dance group, and MJ suggested the name “Cordillera Cultural Ensemble," or CCE.

She is also a proud mother of two beautiful girls, one currently serving in the Navy, & and Jasmine, who is also part of the CCE.

Edward Frenzel Yapyapan (Frenz) is proudly representing the Mountain Province heritage of the Philippines. A passionate cultural performer, he delights in the deep, resonant beat of the gangsa (gong) and moves with the natural rhythm that echoes his ancestral roots. Among his favorite dances are the spirited takik, the graceful tappaya, and even a playful boogie when the occasion calls for a fusion of tradition and fun.

His dedication to preserving and sharing these dances highlights the Cordilleran commitment to keeping indigenous music and movement alive. Whether performing at community events like Fiesta in America or teaching the next generation, Frenz embodies the joy and pride of the highland culture—celebrating identity through every beat and step.

As an Ibaloi from Benguet province, Gertrude “Jane” Albin finds that traditional dance is a powerful means of preserving and sharing her cultural heritage. Since joining the Cordillera Cultural Ensemble (CCE) in September 2023, she has discovered a meaningful way to share this tradition with a wider audience. Her dual roles as a registered nurse and a performer in the CCE represent a modern expression of her Ibaloi and Igorot identity. Not only does she serve the New York community through her profession, but she also ensures the continuation of her vibrant ancestral culture far from home. This dedication keeps her Ibaloi and Igorot heritage alive for the next generation. Through the Cordillera Cultural Ensemble, she maintains a vital link to her roots while living far from the Philippines.

Janet Yapyapan is a U.S. registered nurse and a proud blend of Mountain Province and Benguet Igorot heritage, carrying the traditions of both regions. Raised among the Benguet people, she was introduced early to the rich rhythms and graceful movements of their cultural dances.
For many years, ancient customs limited these dances to sacred occasions such as weddings, feasts, and other tribal celebrations, which narrowed her chance to fully immerse in the art.

As these traditions opened to public sharing, Janet embraced the opportunity to learn and perform, honoring both her Benguet and Mountain Province ancestry. Through active participation with the Cordillera Cultural Ensemble, she now showcases the vibrant Cordillera culture across the United States, celebrating her dual Igorot lineage with pride.

Joyce Lao (legal name Joyce Laoagan) is a New York-based performer, producer, choreographer, arts educator, and creator. A full-blooded Igorot (3/4 Ibaloi and 1/4 Mountain Province), she is dedicated to exploring and researching the Igorot identity, drawing from a lifelong fascination with her ancestry—a subject not taught in schools and institutions.

Her educational background includes Psychology (pre-med), an MA in Music, and an MA in Arts Administration from Baruch College. Her training includes studies at the Stella Adler School of Acting, The Juilliard School (Vocal Performance), and HB Studios (acting). Currently, she is pursuing an MA in Dance Education at New York University, where she is the program's first student to focus on Indigenous and aboriginal dances. Although she started competing in contemporary, Latin, street, modern dances and singing as a child, she didn't explore her indigenous dances and music until adulthood due to cultural restrictions in her community. Her passion for supporting fellow artists inspired her to establish The Ally Artists Group.

Joyce is committed to social justice, arts education, and healing, with a particular interest in the social-emotional aspects of the human psyche, connecting it to the performing arts. She serves as the Program Manager of the Dance Education and Family Programs at The Joyce Theater in New York City.