30 Years of  Great
Performances
of Philippine Dances &
SAMAHAN Philippine Dance Company was founded in 1974.

Starting as part of the Youth Program of the Council of Pilipino-American Organizations of San Diego County (COPAO), the Samahan Philippine Dance Company was organized in July, 1974 under the direction of Lolita Dinoso Carter, Ph.D. The purpose of the Samahan Philippine Dance Company was to provide Filipino youth opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation of their cultural heritage.


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A dance professor at Grossmont College at that time, Dr. Carter "volunteered her services with the mission of organizing a performing ensemble as a contribution to the growing Philippine community in San Diego. Her knowledge of Philippine dance and music, inherently drawn from her experiences growing up in the Philippines…, and formal education in Philippine folk dance at the University of the Philippines and classes with Francisca Reyes Aquino, eminent authority on Philippine folk dance, provided Dr. Carter with a solid background in this form of traditional dance." 

Ruby Pearl Chiong joined Samahan, a year after Samahan was formed, as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Fresh from the Philippines, she brought with her a rich repertoire of dances reflecting her experiences with the Far Eastern University Dance Troupe and work with several dance companies in Manila.

SAMAHAN's Prime Movers
Ruby B. Chiong & Dr. Lolita D. Carter

SAMAHAN product -
UC Irvine Dance  graduate Michelle Aguilar Camaya,   Samahan's principal dancer and guest choreographer, started to dance with Samahan at a young age.   She has performed with major stage productions, such as, FAME and The Lion King.