Photo of Deborah Lemuel in her performance at Mula sa Buwan musical. All credits to the photographer.
This month of Love, and National Month of the Arts, we'd like to share this short interview with Deborah Lemuel, who performed with Daloy's full-length pieces, Unearthing (2019), Moonlight (2019) and Howl (2018), and will be joining us for our new work, “Nature Dances” at British School Manila this March 2023.
Q AND A with Deborah Lemuel,
one of our dance-artists for "Nature Dances":
What is your typical day like?
My mornings are usually self-directed and slow. Since I usually work in the afternoon until the evenings, I would have my mornings for coffee, journaling and light administrative work.
My middays would be for virtual meetings or online postings and lunch with family.
I would leave the house after lunch and spend time with pets, classes (to attend and/or to teach). If I have face to face catch-up with friends or events to attend or perform in, these would usually happen at night.
What makes you excited about this March project of Daloy with British School Manila?
The idea of sharing a creative space with the students and with my fellow artists makes me excited for the things that will unfold.
This upcoming BSM project, is something that Daloy Founder and Director Ea Torrado describes as “nature-reverent”. What do you feel about this?
Being grounded and reconnected with our natural environment has always been one of my core values and it just makes sense for all of us since we all live on the same planet. It is more than imperative for all of us to be aware of the current state of our environment especially in this anthropo-centric age because the evidence of nature’s degradation have been felt and seen for so many years. As inhabitants of the city, we (especially the young ones) are the most susceptible to apathy over time. I strongly believe that we should not let that happen if we want to live longer on this earth.
What is the difference in Daloy’s process of creation compared to other companies you’ve worked with?
Daloy’s work process can be summarized to 2 words: experiential and collaborative. Even though it exists as a dance company with an artistic director as a head, the creative and performative tasks would usually be distributed amongst members depending on each one’s capacity and availability.
What is the most memorable Daloy production or workshop for you?
We had an online international intensive program during the pandemic called Ugnayan. We met and exchanged with both local and international Filipino dance artists thru online classes, workshops and townhalls. I was one of the volunteers that helped in some of the sessions. I also attended a lot of the sessions. After that, Daloy in collaboration with Niko Thomashow, was able to produce a dance film called “Mamahay”. All these happened during the pandemic and these kept my connection with the dance community and even with my dancing body.
What makes Daloy unique?
The people that come and go during it’s different and ever-so-changing seasons
Photos by Jovel Bon Llanza, Julienne as one of the 3 dancers, with Deborah Lemuel and Cristina Gimenez in Leeroy New’s Aliens of Manila
What are life lessons that being part of Daloy Dance Company even pre-pandemic had taught you?
Daloy is a Filipino terms that means “flow”. My experience with this community imprinted in me the humility to listen to how the universe flows and how there is a Divine energy that connects and moves us all. To zoom in a bit, I learned to lessen my grip when it comes to creative work and teaching, I only consider my work to be around 40%- 50% of the process and the outcome. The rest would depend on the nature of the work, other lives involved and other uncontrollable factors that will unravel at their own time.
What are your dreams/s for contemporary dancers in the Philippines?
For our community to be more connected wherever we are in the world. I think contemporary dance here and the communities forming are slowly gaining more form and establishment. It would be a dream come true if all of these emerging collectives would become a network of creators, space holders and movers.
What are your dreams for audiences of contemporary dance in the Philippines?
To be more exposed to contemporary works so they can appreciate more, support more and see more of the value of contemporary dance’s existence to the community
Photos from Daloy Movement, meditative, intuitive and durational dance practice formed by Ea Torrado.
Photos from KGo’s workshop, Brian Moreno and Ea Torrado. In the studio and various sites
What are your upcoming workshops or projects and how can we contact you, to work with you?
Currently, I teach many movement-based practices in studios like VGU Dance Studio and The Dance Lab, in wellness centers like the Edsa Shangri-La Health Club and even international platforms like Tribe and The Beat Studio. I also perform for events, theater, film and TV. You may check out my social media handles on Instagram and Facebook (@deborahlemuel.ph, @antig.ni, deborah), Youtube (Deborah Lemuel) and even catch an update about my rescue pet advocacy on Tiktok (@alaga.ni.deborah)
NAME: Deborah Lynn Espiritu Afuang (Deborah Lemuel)
TITLE: Interdisciplinary Artist, Nature Advocate, Movement Facilitator
AGE: 29
CITY WHERE SHE LIVES: Marikina
Short Profile:
Deborah Lemuel is a performing and visual artist, animal rescue and conservation advocate, fitness coach and movement facilitator. She strives to live more mindfully and aligned with the natural world by bringing her body to move like how nature does. Through dance and fitness, she encourages people to be more grounded and healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Mainly through social media and teaching platforms, she advocates for animal rescue and responsible pet ownership, and living a more sustainable lifestyle that takes care of the self and of the planet.
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