07/01/2026
With a full and grateful heart, I want to thank the incredible community of artists, collaborators, and supporters who brought SUNGOD (Destiny) to life at the Evolution Festival last Sunday.
This multi-sensory work—bridging film, dance, theater, and indigenous storytelling—was only possible because of the people who believed in it and gave their time, talent, and spirit so generously.
Deep gratitude to:
Director Veronica Dang
Stage Manager & Production Sabrina Morabito
Our powerful performers:
Summer Huang
Cordillera Cultural Ensemble — Gerry Dupingay, MJ Payos, Jane Albin, Rex Payos, Edward Frenz Yapyapan, Jasmine Faith
Our film collaborators:
Directed by Drake Maranes and Joyce Laoagan
NYC Scene — Jin Huang
Assistant Director — Femy Lamsis
Directors of Photography — Drake Maranes, Jin Huang
Aerial Videography — Romnick Bayeng
Production Team — Galdong, Sarah Barozzo, Bryan Cadaweng
Make-up & Hair — Danielle Mendoza
Cast:
Jeryck Sigmaton, Joyce Lao, Lydia Gaston, Chris Balantic, Odani Giade Lee Penchon Cardino, Richie Wallace
SUNGOD is a love letter—to my father, to the Igorot people, and to the ancestral threads that continue to guide us. It is an attempt to weave together the many cultural influences that shaped me—Igorot, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, American, and Latin—through movement, story, and film.
Hearing how the work resonated with audiences is something I will carry with me:
“I am agnostic, but this was a spiritual experience...”
“I was blown away by how expansive it was, with not just dance but film, story, acting, interactivity, and the indigenous cultural experience.” — Hannah Sung
“I did not know what to expect; it was absolutely riveting.” — Hamidat Mohammad
“Such a raw personal story… Joyce's connection to land, spirit, God, and ‘rebirth’ was powerful… Watching her journey of grief is something many of us can take with us.” — Marey Griffith, Associate Choreographer, The Lion King
“Amazing, magical...” — Potri Ranka Manis, Founder, Kinding Sindaw
“Through an adroit mixture of film and both modern and traditional dance… SUNGOD is many things—an exploration of lostness and belonging, of grief and final goodbyes, of indigenous identity and modernity.” — Oliver Conant, Actor, Director, Dramaturg
“…Some stories entertain us. Others remind us that grief is another language of love… She is not just living her dream, she is giving others permission to believe in theirs.” — Lily Dapliyan, Cultural Leader, Author, Fashion Designer
To everyone (apologies i can’t name you all) who witnessed, participated, and held space—thank you. Special mention to the Southern Philippine community - they initiated the support, I didnt have to ask. Thank you for rallying people to attend.
Your presence made this more than a performance. It became a shared experience of memory, healing, and connection.
And last but not the least - I thank God for helping me pull through, when colleagues and friends ask me how I do it, it’s all by God’s grace.
“SUNGOD” means destiny in the Ibaloi language. I feel deeply honored to walk this path and to share it with all of you.
- Joyce
Photos by Pearl Rivers, Benguet Lily , Hannah Sung, and The OFW Project.
