Artistic Directors, Choreographers, and Instructors

Judith Portugal

Artistic Director; Choreographer

Deedee is a founding member of PAPAGP and serves as its president, artistic director and a choreographer.

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Portugal's love for the art of dancing started at a very early age. With her mother's encouragement and support, she studied various styles of dance with The Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance Company, The Borromeo Dance Company, and The Aldeguer Dance Studio in the Philippines.

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In the past, she has volunteered as a choreographer and dance instructor for the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh Dance Troupe (FAAP). After having taken her younger sister's place, she continued to introduce Filipino folk dancing with the FAAP, for over a decade, to generations of dancers from the Pittsburgh area.

Kristi Portugal

Assistant Choreographer; Instructor

Kristi Portugal had been exposed to the arts from a young age. She would watch her mother, Deedee, instruct her brother, Keith, until she was old enough to learn herself.  She discovered her love for creating dances and instructing throughout her high school years, teaching for PAPAGP and cultural clubs at school. She began recreating the dance troupe's Filipino folk numbers, eventually exploring ways to modernize its traditions.

Kristina Pacifico

Assistant Choreographer; Instructor

Kristina Pacifico has been folk dancing since age eight, receiving most of her instructions and training during her elementary, middle, high school, and college years from Deedee Portugal. Her parent's dedication and pride for Filipino culture and folk dance has kept Kristina and her younger brother, Michael, involved with dancing and staying active in the group. Pacifico stepped in as a junior choreographer and instructor for PAPAGP in 2015. She continues to devote much of her free time to PAPAGP by doing graphic design, instructing, and dancing with the group.