The aim of the Alvin Erasga Tolentino Choreographic Award is to support an emerging Filipino contemporary choreographer’s artistic development in pursuit of research, creation and production of contemporary dance in the Philippines. The merit based award will recognize a contemporary dance artist’s ability to demonstrate skill and talent in the art of choreography. The award is given Biennale chosen by an appointed jury- Filipino senior dance artist living in the Philippines.

This legacy award was initiated in 2014 through the vision and financial gift of internationally renowned Filipino-Canadian dance artist Alvin Erasga Tolentino to encourage, support and cultivate contemporary choreography dance practices and creations by Filipino dance artists.

Eligibility and Guidelines:

Applicant must be of Filipino descent, a Philippine citizen, and currently live and artistically practice contemporary dance choreography in the Philippines.

Applicant must be between the ages of 23-35 years old.

The scope of contemporary choreography will encompass the innovative approaches in the realization and use of original, experimental or hybridize contemporary movement vocabulary and ideas towards a dance choreographic vision and creation. The practice encourages integration of new media, collaborative or other interdisciplinary approaches to support and build dance. Choreographic topics may capture relevant issues within or recognizes issues of cultural significance related to our current times such as those pertaining to social, political, race, or gender identity.

Application Deadline:

August 31, 2026, Midnight- PST

Submission via email to aetchoreographyaward@gmail.com
Incomplete and late applicants failing to meet deadline will not be adjudicated.

Result: (By September 30, 2026)

Grant Award is 55,000 Pesos

Application Requirements:

1 page letter of intent addressed to Alvin Erasga Tolentino outlining:

• the importance of choreography and

• use of the award to the applicant

Biography or CV, 2 pages maximum.

Support material:

• Must be a Youtube or Vimeo link

• past or current contemporary choreographic work

• 10-20 minutes maximum in length

How to label your support material:

• Date created and/or performed

• name of work

• theme or short description

• name of performer if someone other than yourself

All submissions must be in English.

No late submissions will be accepted.

Assessment criteria for adjudication:

All completed applications will be accepted and assessed on the basis of calibre of work and demonstrated ability.

A senior Filipino dance artist who has made a significant contribution in the field of contemporary dance in the Philippines will be appointed to select the final AET Choreography Awardee.

About Alvin Erasga Tolentino

Alvin Erasga Tolentino, born in the Philippines, has dedicated three decades to contemporary dance worldwide from his base in Vancouver, Canada’s West Coast. As an international dance artist, he founded and currently serves as the artistic director of Co.ERASGA dance, which is now in its 26th season.  Tolentino’s work has garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally for its visionary and distinctive contemporary dance originality.  His hybrid choreographic approach draws on his Asian cultural heritage, blending East and West aesthetics and ideas.  Tolentino challenges and empowers works on indentity, hybridity, migration, redress, climate change, and engages in multidisciplinary collaborations across various media.  His critically acclaimed works, including SOLA, Field, Orientik/Portrait, PARADISE/Paradis, EXpose, Colonial, Shifting Geography, Passages of Rhythms, and Accumulations, have reached four continents through his prolific artistic endeavours.

Support the AET Koreograpiya Award

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to support the development and growth of this award. Should you wish to make contribution, inquire and support the performing arts focus towards the development of contemporary choreographic dance and Filipino dance artists, please send your inquiry to aetchoreographyaward@gmail.com.