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Collaborators
Rodelio “Waway” Saway
"Datu Rodelio “Waway” Saway is a Talaandig master artist and community leader. He is the father of many youth in Sungco, Bukidnon, Mindanao, empowering them through art and embodying the Talaandig values in their craft.
The Talaandig culture is well known for its artistry in the performing arts and soil painting. He has led his community by using art to educate the youth.
A teacher at the Talaandig School of Living Traditions in the highlands of Sungko, Lantapan, Bukidnon, Waway lives on his tribe’s music and art. With a group of well-established artists in Songco and many young Talaandig eager to follow in his footsteps, Waway takes his passion for the arts to a different level. He is now working toward discovering and documenting Bukidnon traditional arts outside his tribe and teaching the art he knows to other indigenous youth.
The Talaandig culture is well known for its artistry in the performing arts and soil painting. He has led his community by using art to educate the youth.
A teacher at the Talaandig School of Living Traditions in the highlands of Sungko, Lantapan, Bukidnon, Waway lives on his tribe’s music and art. With a group of well-established artists in Songco and many young Talaandig eager to follow in his footsteps, Waway takes his passion for the arts to a different level. He is now working toward discovering and documenting Bukidnon traditional arts outside his tribe and teaching the art he knows to other indigenous youth.
Cirilio “Papa Sapi” Bawer
Cirilo "Sapi" Bawer's work as an educator is vital in preserving the cultural heritage of the Kalinga people. By teaching sustainable agricultural practices, he is not only helping to maintain their traditional way of life, but also ensuring that their practices are environmentally responsible.
Bawer's work also highlights the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and practices. Many indigenous communities around the world have been forced to abandon their traditional practices in favor of modern methods. However, Bawer's work demonstrates that traditional practices can be adapted to be more sustainable and still be effective.
In addition to his work as an educator, Bawer is also a culture-bearer for the Kalinga. As a member of the community, he has a deep understanding of their customs, traditions, and way of life. This knowledge and experience is invaluable in preserving the cultural heritage of the Kalinga people.
Overall, Cirilo "Sapi" Bawer's work is an important example of the intersection between sustainability, cultural preservation, and education. Through his efforts, he is helping to ensure that the Kalinga people can continue to thrive and maintain their unique way of life for generations to come.
Bawer's dedication to preserving Kalinga culture is rooted in his belief that it holds intrinsic value and should not be erased or replaced by outside forces. He recognizes the unique beauty and importance of Kalinga rituals, cosmology, and folkways, and sees them as an integral part of the community's identity.
The idea that colonial powers brought "civilization" to the region is met with skepticism by Bawer and many others in the Kalinga community. Instead, they view these outsiders as attempting to impose their own values and beliefs onto a society that was already thriving in its own right.
Bawer's work as a culture-bearer involves not only preserving these traditions but also passing them on to future generations. He understands that the Kalinga way of life may face challenges in the modern world, but he remains committed to ensuring that it endures. Through his efforts, Bawer is helping to keep alive a rich cultural heritage that might otherwise be lost to time.
Bawer's work also highlights the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and practices. Many indigenous communities around the world have been forced to abandon their traditional practices in favor of modern methods. However, Bawer's work demonstrates that traditional practices can be adapted to be more sustainable and still be effective.
In addition to his work as an educator, Bawer is also a culture-bearer for the Kalinga. As a member of the community, he has a deep understanding of their customs, traditions, and way of life. This knowledge and experience is invaluable in preserving the cultural heritage of the Kalinga people.
Overall, Cirilo "Sapi" Bawer's work is an important example of the intersection between sustainability, cultural preservation, and education. Through his efforts, he is helping to ensure that the Kalinga people can continue to thrive and maintain their unique way of life for generations to come.
Bawer's dedication to preserving Kalinga culture is rooted in his belief that it holds intrinsic value and should not be erased or replaced by outside forces. He recognizes the unique beauty and importance of Kalinga rituals, cosmology, and folkways, and sees them as an integral part of the community's identity.
The idea that colonial powers brought "civilization" to the region is met with skepticism by Bawer and many others in the Kalinga community. Instead, they view these outsiders as attempting to impose their own values and beliefs onto a society that was already thriving in its own right.
Bawer's work as a culture-bearer involves not only preserving these traditions but also passing them on to future generations. He understands that the Kalinga way of life may face challenges in the modern world, but he remains committed to ensuring that it endures. Through his efforts, Bawer is helping to keep alive a rich cultural heritage that might otherwise be lost to time.
Sata Egal Abdullah
Sata Egal Abdullah is a full-blooded Iranun from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Philippines, and a proud member of the Magui Moro Master Artist group.
Sata participated in the Musical Travelogue of The Philippines, where he performed at prestigious venues such as Kaplan Concert Hall Center at Towson University in Maryland, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Galeria Posada in Sacramento, Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco, and Edith Coliber Festival of Cultures at Berkeley, all in 2006. In 2008, he further showcased his expertise in traditional instruments used in a Kulintang Ensemble during a teaching demonstration at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. His commitment to cultural promotion was also evident when he attended and performed at the Hibabi Project Exhibit, Weaving Peace and Dreams Textile Arts of Mindanao, held in San Francisco in 2017.
He was also present at numerous cultural festivals in the Philippines. He participated in the Dayaw Festival (2004 to 2017), the Aliwan Festival from 2008 to 2014, Kadayawan Festival in 2015 and 2016, and the Kalilangan Festival in 2018, just to name a few. He also continues to contribute to the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival since 2020 and Araw ng Cotabato since 2021.
Sata participated in the Musical Travelogue of The Philippines, where he performed at prestigious venues such as Kaplan Concert Hall Center at Towson University in Maryland, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Galeria Posada in Sacramento, Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco, and Edith Coliber Festival of Cultures at Berkeley, all in 2006. In 2008, he further showcased his expertise in traditional instruments used in a Kulintang Ensemble during a teaching demonstration at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. His commitment to cultural promotion was also evident when he attended and performed at the Hibabi Project Exhibit, Weaving Peace and Dreams Textile Arts of Mindanao, held in San Francisco in 2017.
He was also present at numerous cultural festivals in the Philippines. He participated in the Dayaw Festival (2004 to 2017), the Aliwan Festival from 2008 to 2014, Kadayawan Festival in 2015 and 2016, and the Kalilangan Festival in 2018, just to name a few. He also continues to contribute to the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival since 2020 and Araw ng Cotabato since 2021.
Myrna Pula
Nanay Myrna is a storyteller with a remarkable memory, sharing the epic stories and folk tales of the T'boli tribe. She has traveled the world to advocate for her people.
Message from Nanay Myrna:
"Arts is a means of communication. It communicates the deepest part of our human psyche. When we speak to Daily Malong, we speak through art even though we speak different languages. Daily Malong helps share our stories, promote the development of our culture, and build a platform to share our culture. Sharing our culture is a big means for us to survive.
The very thing Tbolis are proud of is the strong family ties and the sharing to the max, even to the extent of giving the last drop of your blood.
It is a tremendous struggle to preserve and embrace culture despite the pressing Western cultures. In fact, more Tbolis have lost track of our traditional ways, for now, we need to have a paradigm shift. This is a big mission to tackle.
We the tribes all over the Philippines are forest hill tribe dwellers, we take care of our forest to allow people in the world to breathe fresh air! If you ask me what can Filipinos do? The biggest help is to help us take back our Ancestral lands, so it will allow us to restore, reinstate, and rehabilitate our forestland.
We the tribes have reached out dream of Lemlunay, the Tboli term you asked when we achieve the Paradise, no war, equal rights, the abundance of food, and music everywhere.
This is where we need all Filipinos to support us in any way."
She was present at House of Gong’s Weaving Stories and Dreams together with Evelynda Otong-Hamja of the Yakan Community.
Message from Nanay Myrna:
"Arts is a means of communication. It communicates the deepest part of our human psyche. When we speak to Daily Malong, we speak through art even though we speak different languages. Daily Malong helps share our stories, promote the development of our culture, and build a platform to share our culture. Sharing our culture is a big means for us to survive.
The very thing Tbolis are proud of is the strong family ties and the sharing to the max, even to the extent of giving the last drop of your blood.
It is a tremendous struggle to preserve and embrace culture despite the pressing Western cultures. In fact, more Tbolis have lost track of our traditional ways, for now, we need to have a paradigm shift. This is a big mission to tackle.
We the tribes all over the Philippines are forest hill tribe dwellers, we take care of our forest to allow people in the world to breathe fresh air! If you ask me what can Filipinos do? The biggest help is to help us take back our Ancestral lands, so it will allow us to restore, reinstate, and rehabilitate our forestland.
We the tribes have reached out dream of Lemlunay, the Tboli term you asked when we achieve the Paradise, no war, equal rights, the abundance of food, and music everywhere.
This is where we need all Filipinos to support us in any way."
She was present at House of Gong’s Weaving Stories and Dreams together with Evelynda Otong-Hamja of the Yakan Community.
Evelynda Otong-Hamja
Nanay Evelynda is a fourth-generation Yakan weaver living in the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City. Born and raised in Lamitan, Basilan, she hails from a community that was forcibly relocated to Zamboanga in the 1970s due to military intervention.
Nanay Evelynda describes the Yakan lifestyle as very simple. Her father was a farmer who grew vegetables and root crops, while her mother stayed home to weave. She learned to weave at the age of seven, starting with a coaster and eventually creating table runners and larger fabrics.
She works with a group of weavers, mostly her cousins, known as the Tuwas Yakan Weavers of Basilan. They use backstrap looms made of various sticks and threads. Historically, they wove using pineapple, abaca, and banana fibers, but the scarcity of these natural threads has led them to use polyester cotton. It takes about four to seven days to produce one meter of fabric.
Nanay Evelynda is not very interested in commercializing her products, preferring to maintain the integrity of her work. However, she is committed to keeping the weaving tradition alive by encouraging her community to continue weaving for those who appreciate their craftsmanship.
She is consistently present on “Likha”, an initiative dedicated to promoting and sustaining Philippine traditional textiles and crafts. She was also present at House of Gong’s Weaving Stories and dreams.
Nanay Evelynda describes the Yakan lifestyle as very simple. Her father was a farmer who grew vegetables and root crops, while her mother stayed home to weave. She learned to weave at the age of seven, starting with a coaster and eventually creating table runners and larger fabrics.
She works with a group of weavers, mostly her cousins, known as the Tuwas Yakan Weavers of Basilan. They use backstrap looms made of various sticks and threads. Historically, they wove using pineapple, abaca, and banana fibers, but the scarcity of these natural threads has led them to use polyester cotton. It takes about four to seven days to produce one meter of fabric.
Nanay Evelynda is not very interested in commercializing her products, preferring to maintain the integrity of her work. However, she is committed to keeping the weaving tradition alive by encouraging her community to continue weaving for those who appreciate their craftsmanship.
She is consistently present on “Likha”, an initiative dedicated to promoting and sustaining Philippine traditional textiles and crafts. She was also present at House of Gong’s Weaving Stories and dreams.
Marcelino Balugto Necosia Jr.
Marcelino Balugto Necosia Jr, known as “Balugto” is a Talaandig soil painter, musician, and traditional instrument maker.
Balugto recorded a compact disc, which features his musical talents as a percussionist. As to the visual arts, he has been creating art since 1997, a practice that includes painting, bead working, crafting clay ornaments, and making the best-sounding drums in the community.
Balugto prefers to use natural pigments, and pen and ink in his paintings. Thus, the mountain soil provides him with a vast variety of hues for his palette. Part of the process of working toward his dream of becoming a successful, multi-dimensional artist, is sharing his talents, thoughts, vision, and ideas with the young artists of the Talaandig tribe.
In addition to performing at the opening and award ceremonies for the Second Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Visual Art Exhibition in Davao, Balugto’s piece “The Unseen World '' won a prize in the juried competition. The same piece also won an award at the recent regional Philip Morris Arts Competition which qualified him for the national level competition in January 2008.
Last 2019, Balugto, together with Datu Waway Saway, was able to share our music, art, and culture in different places such as San Francisco California, Singapore, South Korea, New York, and Virginia Beach, to name a few, showcasing their wonderful gift of talent and artistry."
Balugto recorded a compact disc, which features his musical talents as a percussionist. As to the visual arts, he has been creating art since 1997, a practice that includes painting, bead working, crafting clay ornaments, and making the best-sounding drums in the community.
Balugto prefers to use natural pigments, and pen and ink in his paintings. Thus, the mountain soil provides him with a vast variety of hues for his palette. Part of the process of working toward his dream of becoming a successful, multi-dimensional artist, is sharing his talents, thoughts, vision, and ideas with the young artists of the Talaandig tribe.
In addition to performing at the opening and award ceremonies for the Second Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Visual Art Exhibition in Davao, Balugto’s piece “The Unseen World '' won a prize in the juried competition. The same piece also won an award at the recent regional Philip Morris Arts Competition which qualified him for the national level competition in January 2008.
Last 2019, Balugto, together with Datu Waway Saway, was able to share our music, art, and culture in different places such as San Francisco California, Singapore, South Korea, New York, and Virginia Beach, to name a few, showcasing their wonderful gift of talent and artistry."
Ruel Bimuyag
Manong Ruel Bimuyag, a graduate of BS Tourism from the University of Baguio, is a passionate advocate for the preservation of the living traditions of the Ifugao people in the Cordillera Region.
He has actively participated in various conferences, and exhibits, and collaborated with other master artists of the Philippines who share the same vision of promoting and safeguarding their community’s cultural heritage.
As a trained eco-tourism guide under ISST-DOT, he possesses the expertise, knowledge, and experience necessary to elevate his community's profile globally, thereby ensuring the conservation and protection of the Ifugao culture and its natural resources.
As a trained eco-tourism guide under ISST-DOT, he possesses the expertise, knowledge, and experience necessary to elevate his community's profile globally, thereby ensuring the conservation and protection of the Ifugao culture and its natural resources.
Jenny Bawer Young
Jenny Bawer Young is one of the daughters of Cirilio “Papa Sapi” Bawer and probably the only Kalinga weaver to have moved to California, and perhaps the entire United States. Kalinga weaving, known as "laga," is done by women using five sticks on a backstrap loom. Laga creates traditional regalia like men's g-strings called be-e, tapis which is a women's skirts, belts, and blankets. Although tribal members often wear Western clothing today, traditional clothing is still highly respected and worn during community celebrations, festivals, and rituals. The woven articles are especially used in the dances that celebrate the harvest, weddings, war, and peace pacts, capturing the everyday life and beliefs of the Kalinga people.
The Kalinga people's dance movements are inspired by their environment and surroundings, each carrying its own significance and history. These dances embody the community's beliefs, celebrations, and daily activities, providing a window into their way of life.
The Kalinga people's dance movements are inspired by their environment and surroundings, each carrying its own significance and history. These dances embody the community's beliefs, celebrations, and daily activities, providing a window into their way of life.
Faisal Monal
Mr. Faisal B. Monal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (2000) and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education majoring in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH) (2011) from Cotabato City State Polytechnic College. He completed his Master's in Education with a major in Physical Education at Mandaue City College, Cebu.
Monal is a choreographer for the CCSPC-Salamindanao Dance Company and a master artist in Maguindanaon traditional music and dance. He plays various traditional instruments, including the kulintang, agong, debakan, babendil, and gandingan. He has choreographed and performed in numerous festivals across the Philippines and has won several national awards for float design.
As a dancer and musician, Monal has been part of renowned dance troupes and has represented the Maguindanao Province at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). His group has performed internationally, including in the USA, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Spain, and China.
Monal is a resident artist of the Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts in Quezon City and has been involved in international performances and cultural conferences. He is also a consultant and performer in theater productions and serves as the Chairman of Cultural Affairs for the Sultanate of Maguindanao.
Recently, he performed at the 10th Anniversary of the Parangal Dance Company in San Francisco and the 2019 Bi-Annual Gongster's Paradise Festival in Oakland, California.
Monal is a choreographer for the CCSPC-Salamindanao Dance Company and a master artist in Maguindanaon traditional music and dance. He plays various traditional instruments, including the kulintang, agong, debakan, babendil, and gandingan. He has choreographed and performed in numerous festivals across the Philippines and has won several national awards for float design.
As a dancer and musician, Monal has been part of renowned dance troupes and has represented the Maguindanao Province at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). His group has performed internationally, including in the USA, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Spain, and China.
Monal is a resident artist of the Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts in Quezon City and has been involved in international performances and cultural conferences. He is also a consultant and performer in theater productions and serves as the Chairman of Cultural Affairs for the Sultanate of Maguindanao.
Recently, he performed at the 10th Anniversary of the Parangal Dance Company in San Francisco and the 2019 Bi-Annual Gongster's Paradise Festival in Oakland, California.
Joel Ganlal
Joel Ganlal, a T’boli culture bearer, healer, and master artist in t’nonggong drum, s’loli flute, hegalong lute, and dance, was the Special Guest in “Utom.” He has performed internationally with the Helogong Cultural Troupe and for projects by the National Commission for Culture and Arts in California, New York, and Taiwan.
Abdulfarid Kamensa Guinomla
Abdulfarid “Farid” Kamensa Guinomla, RN, is a Kulintang Master Artist and culture bearer from Dulawa (now Datu Piang), Maguindanao del Sur of Southern Philippines. He was inspired by his uncle, Maestro Danny Kalanduyan, a renowned figure in Filipino-American Kulintang Music. He is a self-taught musician dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. He is passionate about passing down traditions to younger generations, ensuring the legacy of Maguindanao's culture continues.
GongsAway Music released his album “Kambasal sa Magindanaw” on different online streaming platforms last January, featuring different traditional ensemble tracks.
Farid has taken part in cultural events in the past, such as Gongsters Paradise 2023. Additionally, he represented the Philippines at the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japan Youth Program (47th SSEAYP) in 2023.
GongsAway Music released his album “Kambasal sa Magindanaw” on different online streaming platforms last January, featuring different traditional ensemble tracks.
Farid has taken part in cultural events in the past, such as Gongsters Paradise 2023. Additionally, he represented the Philippines at the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japan Youth Program (47th SSEAYP) in 2023.
Al-Raffy Alnado Harun
Al-Raffy Alnado Harun is performing artist and Sama culture bearer from the municipality of Sitangkai, Province of Tawi-Tawi.
A cultural worker and a performer, he is the Artistic Director of the Sining Parmata Performing Arts of MSU-TCTO. He led Lepa Theatrical Troupe in Sitangkai Tawi-Tawi that aims to promote, preserve, and protect our culture and tradition and represented the Philippines in a cultural exchange program in Shanghai China, in 2014, and he toured several countries of the European Union performing traditional Sama dances.
He won the Best talent in Malaysia for Mr. Culture Asia. He was the Tawi-Tawi area coordinator for the Genetic Variation of Filipino People Project.
He is also a Legislative Staff Assistant for the Policy Research and Legal Services BTA-BARMM Cotabato City.
A cultural worker and a performer, he is the Artistic Director of the Sining Parmata Performing Arts of MSU-TCTO. He led Lepa Theatrical Troupe in Sitangkai Tawi-Tawi that aims to promote, preserve, and protect our culture and tradition and represented the Philippines in a cultural exchange program in Shanghai China, in 2014, and he toured several countries of the European Union performing traditional Sama dances.
He won the Best talent in Malaysia for Mr. Culture Asia. He was the Tawi-Tawi area coordinator for the Genetic Variation of Filipino People Project.
He is also a Legislative Staff Assistant for the Policy Research and Legal Services BTA-BARMM Cotabato City.
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