Leonor Orosa-Goquingco: National Artist for Dance

The accomplishments of Leonor Orosa-Goquingco, National Artist for Dance, were truly awesome. She founded the Filipinescas Dance Company and the Philippine Theatre Dance Group.

She was also an author, mentor, dancer and art critic. Her book, The Dances of the Emerald Isles, has been dubbed by Teodoro A. Agoncillo, ‘A towering contribution to Philippine cultural history.’

Cover of The Dances of the Emerald Isles

Mrs. Goquingco graduated summa cum laude from St. Scholastica’s College, major in English literature. She took up graduate studies in theater, drama and music at Columbia University’s Teachers College. She also took up professional and teacher courses at the Ballet de Monte Carlo.

Souvenir program of a Filipinescas presentation in 1971

She was married to Benjamin Goquingco and had three children: Benjamin Jr., Rachelle and Regina.

Mrs. Goquingco was born on July 23, 1917 in Jolo, Sulu. Her parents were Sixto Orosa and Severina Luna, both doctors. She died on July 15, 2004 at 87.   — RKC