Raymundo B. Rausa—Multi-talented Cultural Dance Artist
Raymundo Rausa
Ray, as he is fondly called by his students and colleagues, is one of the pioneer cultural artist-volunteers for FilCom since the non-profit opened its doors in 2002. During those early years, he taught children and youth folk dancing. The students came from the neighboring Waipahu Intermediate and High School. He also trained a group of students from Punahou School, where he currently works as an audio-visual technician, to the intricacies of Filipino folk dancing until the kids graduated and moved on to college. Due to health issues within in immediate family, he had to suspend his volunteer activities. Since early 2013, he has resumed his passion of sharing his love for Philippine dance to a whole new group of recruits representing various age groups.
He is credited for coining the name “Himig at Indak” which refers to the a group of men and women who rehearse choir singing, ballroom dancing and folk dancing at the FilCom on Tuesdays (ballroom, folk dance and choir) and Sundays (choir rehearsals only). His folk dancing group has been invited to perform in various FilCom events, and the most recent one was in August for “Mindanaw” during FilCom Sunday, where Ray showed his talents at interpreting various dance routines.
Ray’s dream is to re-create another dance group consisting of energetic young men and women who are determined to learn Philippine dance and are willing to put in the hours for grueling rehearsals to master the dance routines that he is willing to share. (Those interested to join this group, please call the FilCom at 808 680 0451 or email at filcom@filcom.org).
Prior to moving to Hawaii, Ray was a dance artist for several premier dance companies in the Philippines. He was a dancer for the famed Bayanihan Philippines Dance Company for eight years and toured with the dance company to the USA and Canada, Europe, Middle East and Asia. He also danced for the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group for six years and for Ballet Philippines Theater for five years. He was also associated with On-Cue Production and Maharlika Art Group.
Ray is a multi-faceted artist. He is also well-versed in ballroom dancing and modern jazz. He has produced and directed numerous cultural and dance productions. He is a stage designer and stage production coordinator for weddings, birthday parties and other special events. He served as audio-visual tech for Hale Koa Hotel for seven years, and has been Punahou School’s audio-visual tech for the last 10 years.