August 9 is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. On this day, we raise awareness about their right to preserve their knowledges and practices that truly embody the principles of sustainability and equity, in ways that allow their communities to preserve as well as explore new expressive traditions in accordance with their own aesthetic values.
These projects demonstrate the rich repertoire of expressive practices of Philippine indigenous communities.
BABA-LAYBAY & HULARAGWAY
UP Katilingban sang Nakatundang
Kabisayaan (UP KASANAG)
UP KASANAG’s BABA-LAYBAY and HULARAGWAY are competitions showcasing the rich poetry and literature of Western Visayas through the interpretation of binalaybay (Hiligaynon term for poetry).
The outputs of Baba-laybay are oral interpretations of binalaybays in audio format. The winning pieces are then visually translated into animations in this year’s Hularagway competition.
Watch the videos at UP KASANAG’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Salingkat: The Allure of Philippine Basketry
Asian Center, UP Diliman
Launched in 2023, Salingkat: The Allure of Philippine Basketry exhibition showcases around 200 ethnographic items on traditional basketry from across the Philippines. It highlights the diversity of basket weaving traditions as well as the artistry and skill of Filipino basket weavers.
The exhibition is open for viewing at the Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center, UP Diliman from Monday to Friday.
HIMIG HIMBING: Mga Heleng Atin
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
Released in 2022, Himig Himbing: Mga Heleng Atin is a project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Arts Education that aims “to reintroduce Philippine indigenous lullabies or hele to contemporary audiences”. It features music videos of lullabies from different regions in the country that are based on the research of ethnomusicologist Sol Trinidad, with musical arrangement by Krina Cayabyab of lullabies such as the Wiyawi of the Kalinga and Aba-aba of the Subanon.
A second album was released in 2023 with eight (8) new music videos.
Listen to the album at the CCP’s official YouTube channel.
References:
- UP KASANAG Facebook Page
- BABA-LAYBAY and HULARAGWAY event guides
- Cultural Center of the Philippines. (3 November 2022). “NEW TAKES ON FILIPINO LULLABIES IN HIMIG HIMBING: MGA HELENG ATIN”. Press Release.
- Cultural Center of the Philippines. (3 November 2022). “CCP CONTINUES TO PROMOTE PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS LULLABIES WITH HIMIG HIMBING: MGA HELENG ATIN”. Press Release.
- Asian Center, UP Diliman Website