In the end of 2020, Daloy founder Ea Torrado answered some interview questions about her La Union life as an artist, below are her answers. These were sent by writer and National Geographic explorer, and Emerging Islands artist residency co-founder, Nicola Sebastian.
When did you know you wanted to move to La Union?
Mid-April 2020. During one of my sunset walks in Dalumpinas. Initially, I was spending the March lockdown in Elyu where my partner, Chino, lives, expecting that the world would return to normal after a maximum of 2 months. Then I would be back in Manila again for work and everything. But while I was walking, the sun had just set, and the whole sky became pink, violet, and blue, among other colors I can't name. My feet felt different. From the soles of my feet up to my hips, it felt like they were shivering, shaking. I paused and distinctly heard the land say, 'Here. Stay here.'
The moments in my life when I had clairsentience and clairaudience so strong, I knew I should listen. So that moment made me decide to stay.
What were you doing and where were you living before the move?
-Mandaluyong. In an apartment unit that is 2 floors down from Daloy Dance Company's weekly rehearsal space called Queens Dance Studio.
When did you finally make the move?- What was it like?
-The following day after that sunset walk, I called my Mama and made a deal with her. I would give her my air conditioner, bed, furniture, and some of my clothes and shoes if she could help me pack stuff from my Mandaluyong apartment into bags and find a way to deliver them to La Union. She said yes. We hopped on a Facebook video call where she handpicked every item, and I said yes/no. Yes meant it goes into the bag, No meant it's hers, she can use it, sell it, gift it, or do whatever she wants with it.
Had you visited San Juan/La Union before?
-What was your impression of the place and the community back then? Yes, every month for 1 year, from Feb 2019 to Feb 2020. I was dating a guy whom I fell in love with, and after 2 weeks of hot dates and sex, he said, "I'm moving to La Union next week." And I thought, that's perfect! I love my independence so much, and I finally have a reason to beach vacation every month! So, I visited Elyu monthly since then.
How has your view and experience of San Juan and the community changed since you’ve moved here?
-At night, it was like Poblacion in Makati but by the beach. From the night traffic to the people with excited energies for vacation, partying, getting wasted, and meeting new people. The beach came alive when surfers played, and you could feel when they were happy, and the whole place felt quite happy too. There were many good places for good food.
Since I moved here, I've noticed that there are more vegan and vegetarian options in restaurants. Fewer people at parties, less partying, and less traffic, as the place is only starting to reopen to tourists. I can still feel how happy surfers get when waves are good and how surfers have also been finding other sports, activities, and recreation for when the sea is flat.
I am now at a phase where I'm more interested in being at home, growing our plants, and petting our cats, doing online work while learning stuff online and working online, and going out around 5:30 pm to see the sun go down. Sometimes, I take a dip or a long walk. Sometimes, I see longtime friends who are visiting or deciding to move here for good.
I have always found La Union to be a beautiful name. I knew that in the 1800s it was named as such because it is the union of three places - Pangasinan, Benguet, and Ilocos Sur. But 'The Union' reminds me of yoga. Yoga means to yoke or unite, and in yoga's case, to unite the body, mind, and spirit.
Since I moved here and until now, this place is helping me with that, that uniting and integrating that I find is conducive when you are in a place of more quiet, more nature, friendlier neighbors, people with free spirits such as surfers, a place far from obligations, work, people from your past, or even your own blood family that may have colored or influenced the way you lived or (not lived) for many years.
If you lived in the city, how do you compare your life here in LU and back there?What are the pros and cons for each?
-Pros of living in Elyu: sunsets, quiet, trees, good neighbors, cheaper produce, 5 minutes away from almost everything you need for basic needs, being physically together and growing together with my polyam partner Chino, slippers or bare feet all day, every day.
-Cons of living in Elyu: mosquitoes, brownouts (but we have solar panels now, so this is no longer a problem, hehe), small-town gossip (everyone knows everybody and has something to say about somebody, unlike in Manila apartments where you can live for 10 years in a condo and just be friends with 1 person or no one at all, or be in public places and enjoy the privacy of being a total stranger).
If the pandemic were to end, would you move back?
-No, but I am thinking of traveling to many other places that are surrounded by water and hills. There is something nice about being an outsider looking in at a place or people in that place and enjoying assimilating and distancing at the same time and being on listening mode to the land when it says, "Yes, here," or "Yes, honey, it's now time to go."
Tell me about your dance practice and advocacy with somatic healing.
-Daloy, which means "flow" in Tagalog, is a movement practice that is an ongoing, embodied research. Through practicing and facilitating it, it continuously grows, expands, and evolves. I draw from my background in contemporary dance, yoga, improvisation, physical theatre, meditation, and energy healing. Before the pandemic, an average of 60 participants would fill a room to dance wildly and use this as a modality for release, self-discovery, healing within a community, and processing and releasing traumas or stuck energies in the body. When the lockdown began, I adapted by exploring how to translate the practice through Zoom and other social media platforms, including live and pre-recorded videos.
I also started incorporating psychic mediumship, tarot, oracle cards, and reiki into the work. These aspects have been a part of my life for the past 8 years, roughly the same time I formed Daloy. However, I kept these "woo-woo" parts of myself hidden because I thought they didn't fit into my identity as an artist, choreographer, or director, given the critical views of people in those circles.
Additionally, most of my family and friends were Catholic or evangelical Christians, and growing up in that environment made me afraid of judgment or ridicule for a long time. But being in La Union provided me with the space to shed those fears and take risks. I embrace the "woo-woo," and I'm realizing that Daloy can also be a spiritual practice or a form of spiritual expression. With these other identities and experiences of mine blending into the mix.
Has the community been receptive to it?
-Elyu, with its diverse communities, has been quite receptive to it.
In 2019, Clean Beach hosted our first Daloy session, followed by Charlie's Hangar and Eliseos after some months. Lorma Colleges also invited me to share the practice with their college students, faculty, and staff. During the pandemic, Circle Hostel hosted a virtual Daloy session, and I was able to conduct sessions for clients visiting Elyu at Siesta Beach Resort. Owners of Camp Ave and Scenic View Tourist Inn tried Daloy and wanted to host actual retreats in their spaces, but the town had to close several times, postponing the plans.
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I organized private classes at Surf City Resort and two 3-5 day healing retreats at Ocean Breeze Resort in Bacnotan.
Just last week, Serenity Deck at Alon and Sandy hosted a sunset Daloy session.
Some days, I share the practice with my young neighbors, whose families have lived in Dalumpinas their entire lives. They range from ages 6 to 12. Sometimes, their mothers or aunts ask questions and join in the fun.
How has La Union as a place shaped and informed your practice, both as a dancer and as a teacher/healer?
-The place and the pandemic have given me ample rest and a chance for unlearning. With a whole beach at my disposal, I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in my senses and explore the connection between my body and nature. No longer burdened by expensive studio rental fees, I can freely engage in dance or non-dance, whether it's sitting, standing, or lying down. I've had the privilege of observing my young neighbors play imaginative games on the sand, moving in incredible and unexpected ways due to the vast space available.
Being here made me realize that if Daloy, as a practice, is about achieving a state of 'flow' by being fully present and allowing the body to move authentically in the present moment, dissolving the materiality of the body to connect with space, others, and the living things around, then how can I embody this outside of Daloy practice? How can I open up and free myself to the point where I can let go of my notes and expertise as a dance, yoga, and physical theatre teacher and simply speak from the heart in class, allowing bodies and space to find that 'flow'? In January 2020, I trained several facilitators to teach a Daloy Movement Session, using the framework of the five elements (fire, water, air, ether, earth) felt in and through the body to help people feel more at home in their bodies. But as I shifted my practice to reach more people online, through Zoom, one-on-one sessions, and even my own practice, it has evolved into something entirely different. What if the practice could break free from its own boundaries? What if movement isn't necessary, or if we pull tarot cards at the end, or even if we spend thirty minutes laughing for a cathartic release?
Elyu has encouraged me to observe more and listen more deeply. It has made me realize that Daloy is my life's work, and there's no rush. Rushing is violence. Someday, when I'm ready to teach others to 'channel' using psychic mediumship, meditation, or energy work tools while holding space for others to get 'in the flow,' I will know how to share that. For now, I can experiment with what Daloy means by living day by day, striving to be as present, open, and free as possible, so I don't miss out on my own life while trying to grasp the essence of my life's work.
Have you found a good community of friends here in LU?
-Yes, I have. Some are surfers, some are migrants, and some are weekly visitors from La Trinidad, Benguet. As I approach 36, I've come to understand that relationships have their natural flow. I no longer force or push things; I trust that friendships, when right, feel effortless. Most of the friends I've made here are introverted like me, and I still value my sacred alone time.
Have you been able to find a community around your interests and values?
-Absolutely. My livelihood involves creating communities, and Daloy has formed an online community that demands much of my time and energy to sustain. I've also developed a strong interest in advanced energy healing techniques, feng shui, and energy medicine, so I find joy in the online communities I'm part of. My body craves stability and security through simple household chores, tending to plants and cats, and spending quality time with Chino and a few friends with significant gaps between visits. This allows me to deepen my self-practice.
Do you know or are friends with any of the locals? What are your impressions of them?
-Yes, I know many locals, both men and women. Girls tend to be reserved, with not many openly expressing their queerness. Occasionally, boys may make derogatory jokes, and discussing polyamory without judgment can be challenging. Locals are grounded, easygoing, and hospitable. They have a great sense of humor and are kind hosts. They often respect dietary choices, like our plant-based diet, even when lechon is served.
What would you say about the people living in LU in general? Do you find them more open and relaxed or less when compared to people in the city?
-The openness and relaxation of people in LU depend on how long they've been in Elyu. If they've been here for three months or less, they are typically more open and relaxed. However, if they've lived here longer, it can vary based on whether their work requires them to be friendly, like those in the service industry. But, in general, most people here are warm, relaxed, open, grounded, and often more so than city dwellers.
a. Has your daily routine and rhythms changed since moving to LU, both work and personal life?
b. Do you find it easier or harder to work here, to find inspiration?
-It's easier to work here because my basic needs are met. I have access to good and healthy food, longer sleep due to the quiet environment, a simple and well-equipped home with fast Wi-Fi, and various serene spots to retreat to when needed. I can people-watch in different places, from fishermen to surfers, kids, visitors, locals, and migrants, all sharing the same space and appreciating the beauty of the sun and the skies during the golden hour. I find deep connections when someone, whether a friend or a stranger, experiences hardship, be it a broken ankle, a damaged surfboard, or a wounded heart.
Do you surf? When did you start, and has surfing changed or influenced you at all?
-Absolutely, LU is enjoyable even if you're not a surfer. Ultimately, the enjoyment of a place is a matter of personal perspective and attitude.
a. What activities do you do in LU instead of/in addition to surfing?
b. Have your activities/schedule changed since moving to LU?
-Yes, my activities and schedule have changed significantly since moving to LU. I've started singing to plants, and I have three cats now. Every day at 5:30 PM, I go out to watch the sunset. If it's raining, I take a moment to meditate and express gratitude for the approaching nighttime. I find solace in the consistency of natural phenomena like the sun, moon, skies, and sea. This daily practice helps me stay grounded and connected.
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Do you think the outdoors is a good draw for visitors and would-be residents?
-Absolutely, the outdoor environment is a significant draw for both visitors and potential residents. The natural beauty and tranquility of the outdoors provide a unique appeal.
Do you have any hopes or plans for a future here in LU? Anything that worries or concerns you about LU and the community? What do you think LU needs to make it a viable and sustainable place to live and work?
- I think La Union could benefit from:
• More spaces for healing and spiritual expression (not religious) to allow people to connect with themselves.
• Businesses that promote local farming and agriculture, with farm-to-table options.
• Increased availability of tasty vegan and vegetarian options sourced locally and at affordable prices to encourage healthier eating habits and environmental sustainability.
• Venues that facilitate conversations, meetings, and exchanges among diverse communities, reducing clique culture and fostering empathy.
• Opportunities for tourists to learn about the local history, culture, and people, promoting preservation and respect.
• Forums and discussions about gender identities, reproductive health, consent, boundaries, and safety.
• Spaces for informed and empowering conversations about the safety, legality, and potential benefits of certain drugs and plant medicines.
• Greater access to information and education on various topics.
Do you think La Union offers a helpful comparison or reflection on Metro Manila, or a more mainstream, conventional, urban life in general?
-La Union, like any place with rich natural surroundings, offers a better quality of life and a break from the hyperconnectivity and overstimulation of our modern world. Our bodies are not designed for the constant connectivity and confinement of city life. Nature, with its spirals, circles, fresh air, and open spaces, provides a respite from the confines of urban living. While more people are exploring remote work and self-employment as alternatives to the traditional urban lifestyle, the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences. Some people may genuinely prefer the hustle and bustle of city living, and that's valid too.
What is your message/advice for people who are thinking about moving here?
-Moving to a beautiful place like Elyu can certainly enhance your life, but remember that your inner state matters just as much. While a good environment can facilitate self-discovery, healing, and pleasure, it won't magically solve everything. If you carry the negative energy of competitiveness, envy, the rat race, fear, and toxicity from the city with you, the place can only do so much.
Elyu offers opportunities for new friendships, personal growth, and a deeper connection with your body and the natural world. It's a place where you can find a balance between solitude and community, and if you enjoy surfing, it's an excellent hobby that can also serve as a form of meditation and play. So, embrace the potential for positive change, but also bring a positive mindset and open heart with you.
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