21/09/2026
The STEPS Dance Troupe of Isabela State University โ Cauayan Campus proudly takes another meaningful step in the preservation and promotion of local culture with the launch of โTarulu,โ a newly researched folkdance from the community of San Pablo, Cauayan City, Isabela.
Rooted in the everyday lives, traditions, and livelihood of the community, Tarulu pays tribute to the hardworking mushroom farmers of Cauayan Cityโindividuals and families whose dedication and ingenuity contribute to the cityโs growing recognition as the โMushroom Basket of the North.โ
More than a dance, Tarulu is a cultural interpretation of the farmersโ stories. It reflects their agricultural innovation, industriousness, perseverance, and cooperative spirit, portraying the shared efforts that sustain mushroom-growing communities and contribute to local development.
From Community Life to Folkdance
The research and documentation of Tarulu were led by Prof. Apolonio Espiritu of Philippine Normal UniversityโNorth Luzon, who conducted an extensive study of the lives, practices, movements, and experiences of the mushroom farmers of San Pablo. Through careful research and documentation, the realities of the community were transformed into movement, rhythm, and choreographyโcreating a folkdance that reflects the identity and livelihood of its people.
The project is spearheaded by the Local Government Unit of Cauayan City and the City Tourism Office, in partnership with Prof. Apolonio Espiritu, with the artistic development and presentation undertaken through the guidance and supervision of Prof. Freddie R. Cabrera and Mr. Edzel Mark T. Saclolo.
The initiative is further strengthened by the support of Isabela State University โ Cauayan Campus, headed by Prof. Marisol S. Foronda, whose continued support for cultural initiatives provides an avenue for students and artists to participate in the preservation, development, and promotion of local heritage.
Honoring the People Behind the Livelihood
At the heart of Tarulu are the mushroom farmers themselves.
Their daily work requires patience, cooperation, creativity, and commitment. From cultivation to harvesting, their livelihood represents not only agricultural productivity but also the power of communities working together toward a shared goal.
Through dance, these experiences are given a new cultural language. The gestures, formations, rhythms, and movements of Tarulu seek to embody the interconnectedness of the farmers, the process of mushroom growing, and the continuing development of their community.
In this way, Tarulu becomes more than a performanceโit becomes a living cultural narrative that recognizes the people whose labor helps shape the identity and economic landscape of Cauayan City.
A New Chapter for Cultural Heritage
The launch of Tarulu marks another significant chapter in the continuing commitment of STEPS Dance Troupe to cultural preservation and artistic expression. By bringing community stories to the stage, the troupe helps create opportunities for local traditions, livelihoods, and identities to be remembered, understood, and shared with future generations.
Through the collaborative efforts of researchers, cultural workers, educators, government institutions, artists, and the community, Tarulu demonstrates how folkdance can serve as a bridge between heritage and contemporary cultural development.
As STEPS Dance Troupe brings Tarulu to the stage, it carries with it the story of San Pabloโs mushroom-growing communityโtheir hands that cultivate, their cooperation that sustains, and their perseverance that continues to inspire.
Tarulu is the story of a community in motion.
A story of work.
A story of cooperation.
A story of innovation.
And above all, a celebration of the mushroom farmers who help make Cauayan City the โMushroom Basket of the North.โ
