Lutes and zithers showcased in traditional music fest
THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) National Committee on Music, through Baglan Art and Culture Initiatives Inc. and in partnership with Centro Escolar University (CEU) Manila, through its Presidential Committee on Culture and the Arts and the University of the Philippines Center for Ethnomusicology, brought Ugnayan Festival: Musical Communication in Lute and Zither at CEU-Manila on Nov. 21-23.
Ugnayan is a festival that showcases the beauty and significance of lutes and zithers, musical instruments used by indigenous people in the Philippines. Some of the exam- ples of lutes in the country are kutyapi, kusyapi, kuglong, kudlong, hegelong and fegereng, among others. Zithers include instruments like kolitong, sludoy and saluroy.
The festival also featured conferences, talks and workshops.
The NCCA, along with its partners, showcased groups from different parts of the country such as the T’boli, Maguindanao, Matigsalog, Panay Bukidnon, musicians from the Cordillera, and other ensembles. Artists who use the musical items joined the performances.
This event became a learning opportunity for its audience, as members of the academe with ex- pertise on lutes and zithers conducted educational talks, conference, workshops and lectures. Academic papers shown to the public were accompanied by stories and performances from indigenous artists.
NCCA chair Felipe de Leon Jr., UP Center for Ethnomusicology executive director Ramon Santos, professor Frank Englis and Cordillera Ethnic Music Ensemble director Benny Sokkong graced the conferences.
Also joining the conferences were composer and performer Diwa de Leon, Peter Jan “Armor” Rapista, Ma. Christine Muyco of the UP College of Music and UP Manila’s Juliet Bien.
Artists who participated in the workshops include Cordillera Music Ensemble, T’boli hegalong player Jessie “Mafil” Angkoy, kudlong and saluray players from Davao city, Maguindanao kudyapi player Esmail Ahmad, Panay Bukidnon Musicians, musician Popong Landero of Mindanao, Cordillera Ethnic Music Ensemble and Manlilikha ng Bayan Masino Intaray.
Various artists who jammed with the crowd in concerts included kudlong and saluray players of Davao city, Landero, Intaray, Angkoy, De Leon and Ahmad
Ugnayan aims to promote the cultural importance of lutes and zithers, to disseminate and promote Filipino culture and identity, exhibit the talent of our country’s artists and groups, and collect prototypes of these musical instruments.