Maria Manalang

Maria R. Manalang immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 1978. She received her Associated Degree and Bachelor Degree from Indiana University. She started practicing in the field of Allied Health as a Respiratory Therapist from 1991 to 2007 from facilities as Indiana University, Winona Hospital, Kindred Hospital, Wishard Hospital and a few more. In 2007, she transitioned to field of Sleep Medicine where she spent 10 years starting and establishing the Sleep Medicine Program at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2017, she moved to Montana, at another Veterans Administration Facility to learn more about remote monitoring of Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Devices. Her interest in culture lead her to many community involvement and engagement. She became President of Barangay Club of Indiana (2003 – 2004), a non-profit organization of the Filipino Community. She became a Board Member of Asian American Alliance in 2003. An officer and board member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana (1999 – 2021). Board member of Camp Mabuhay of Indiana (2004) In 2018, Maria returned to Indianapolis and worked at the International Marketplace Coalition, a non-profit organization. She spent the next 5 years as a Program Manager at the non-profit organization where the Global Village Welcome Center was born. In 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic, Maria return to practice Respiratory Therapy to help with the crisis. In 2021, she became one of the Director of the Respiratory Therapy Department in Greenwood Health Care. In 2007, Maria founded and the artistic director of SAYAW: Philippine Cultural Company (SAYAW:PCDC). Her passion for dancing and her curiosity of her culture introduced her to the rich and beautiful Philippine Culture. In 2008, she started a small organization called Mabuhay! Philippine Cultural Community. The organization participated mostly in festival and educational programs in the schools. Maria was a dancer & choreographer for IUPUI Moving Company (1989 – 1996) and one of the original dancers with Susurrus Dance Company (1990’s). Maria won the title top dancer at Arthur Murray competition in 1988. Maria can be seen in the commuter connect commercial by CIRTAconnects IndyGo in 2019. Maria started to develop her interest in visual arts (Photography) and had here first accepted work included in the World Arts Expo and again, in 2023. Maria also had interest in theater where she joined in high school as an extra in a musical. In 2022, Maria had her first key role in a stage play as Hazel Ying Lee in “Fly Babies” at Buck Creek Playhouse. She received a nomination for Best Actress in a minor role and Best assemble. In 2023, she played a Spanish role of Conchita in a stage play “Are You Being Served?”.