12 Facts About Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa is a Filipino dancer and academic known for her studies and promotion of the pangalay dance tradition of the southern Philippines and is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa was nominated by former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to be included in the list of National Living Treasures or Gawad Manlilika ng Bayan, the highest honor bestowed on individuals who have contributed immensely on indigenous culture and arts.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa was born to a prominent Catholic political family in Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines with her father being Gil Estanislao Fernando Sr.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa was part of a folk dance troupe at her school and took some lesson in ballet at age 8 or 9.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa enjoyed dancing the boogie and rock 'n roll.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa entered the Far Eastern University as an English major in 1959 where she met her future husband.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa worked as an artist, cultural researcher, educator, and advocate of the locale's indigenous arts.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa established the Tambuli Cultural Troupe composed of students of the university where she taught.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa moved back to Marikina in 1987 following the death of her husband.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa established the AlunAlun Dance Circle in Atipolo in 1999.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa was married to Datu Punjungan Amilbangsa, the young brother of Sultan Mohammad Amirul Ombra Amilbangsa, the last reigning monarch of the Sulu Sultanate.

Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa married Datu Paunjungan in 1964, who was her schoolmate at FEU.