The National Commission for Culture and the Arts conducted its first lecture and workshop on Philippine indigenous music at Tarlac State University, which aims to promote and bring the country's native music and culture to a larger audience.
The "Tunugan: Lecture-Workshop on Philippine Music" benefitted the Laboratory School's Grade 8 students, the TSU Chorale and Performing Arts Dance Troupe members, humanities faculty members, and some culture and arts university coaches who were divided into two groups for the morning and afternoon sessions on Thursday (February 22) at the Alumni Center, Lucinda Campus.
Top-caliber resource persons, namely Prof. Tusa Montes, the University of the Philippines Tugtugan Musika Asyatika (UP TUGMA), a group under the UP College of Music's Musicology Department, and the Padayon Rondalla, a performing group from UP Diliman, led the lecture and workshop.
Prof. Montes, a percussionist and ethnomusicologist, talked about Philippine music perspectives, ranging from Philippine music experiences to the Kalinga, Maguindanaoan, and Rondalla music, which were supported by UP TUGMA's and Padayon Rondalla's performances and rhythm jams with the participants.
“Lahat ng ito ay walang saysay kung hindi po natin ito isasarili, kung hindi natin ito ipamimigay at ipamamahagi sa ating kapwa Pilipino, at kung hindi natin ito matututunang i-appreciate . Ito 'yung isa naming gustong ibigay sa inyo. Sana inyong tandaan, ito po ay himig ng mga puso,” Prof. Tusa Montes said during the workshop.
UP TUGMA brought Kalinga music to the university by playing the Tongatong, a set of bamboo percussion instruments of varying lengths that are hit on the ground and project different rhythms.
They also demonstrated how to play Patangguk, quill-shaped bamboo tubes, which are played as a group. It is often used to end the war and bring peace.
Along with the LS students, UP TUGMA sang "Salidumay," an indigenous folk song of the Kalinga and Igorot natives in Cordillera.
Meanwhile, Padayon Rondalla serenaded the participants with using the bandurria, octavina, guitar, and double bass.
Rondalla Philippine music is a stringed ensemble that Spaniards influenced during Spanish colonization in the late nineteenth century.
Prof. Montes also introduced the Maguinadanaon Kulintang music mostly composed of gongs.
“Ang pagtangkilik ng musikang Pilipino ay magisisimula sa sarili at sa tahanan. So, 'wag tayong mahiyang magtangkilik ng musika at kultura ng Pilipino,” Prof. Montes said.
The renowned professor obtained a master’s degree in music at the UP College of Music in 2012. She served the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music for ten years and is currently teaching as a senior lecturer at the UP College of Music.
She is a member of the World Percussion Committee of the Percussive Arts Society. She has performed in various events in the Philippines and abroad.
Mr. Manuel Agustin Singson, director and project manager of the Likha-an Resource Center of NCCA, also graced the activity.
The Likha-an Resource Center opened in 2019 to promote cultural knowledge and traditional arts in understanding Philippine culture.
“Mapalad ang Tarlac State University dahil isa po tayo sa pinagkalooban ng serbisyo ng NCCA para ipamalas ang kanilang talento mula sa musika at kultura. And I would like to express my admiration po for the exceptional hardwork and effort for this event to happen. This illuminates our rich culture and heritage as Filipinos. Truly, this lecture-workshop on Philippine music has a significant impact on our dear participants," TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco said in his opening message.
The NCCA, whose mission is to conserve the nation's culture and heritage and promote Philippine arts, also donated reference materials to TSU, like Pulo sa Sarangani, Paglagom, Pundok Pundok Theatre Group Directory, Agwat Hilom, Pamana ni Lola, and LAB Teatro sa Panahon ng Pandemya CDs, among others. (jlmm-OPA)
Photos by Eduardo F. Laxamana, Jr.
