Kadangyan: Reviving a vanishing Philippine culture

by: Noah James

The band’s name, in Cordilleran, literally means “rich,” but Kadangyan is far from that at present. However, the five-man group is wealthy in other aspects: their pride of Filipino culture and their combined visual and musical talents.

Indeed, Kadangyan’s artistry is as opulent and diverse as the members’ backgrounds. Coming from all major regions of the Philippines, they have proven to be worthy ambassadors of the country in the few times they have ventured abroad, and they are far from modest in expressing their nationalism when they perform here.

In fact, “to revive and evolve the vanishing Philippine culture” is the first line you’ll see of the band’s mission statement, posted prominently on Kadangyan’s MySpace site (www.myspace.com/kadangyan). It’s also the primary lament of bandleader Bhava Mitra, who formed the group when he met percussionist Jean Govinda while on vacation in Cebu 10 years ago.

“We [Filipinos] are adapting too much to other cultures. Mahirap naman kung tayo ang mawala (It’s more difficult if our own culture disappears),” Bhava said, who sings and plays a range of indigenous Filipino instruments like his bandmates.

“In fact, we have lost the spirit of being kabaryo (village neighbors); we have no sharing, wala nang pansinan (we don’t give a damn). It is like condo-style living; we’re neighbors but we don’t notice each other,” adds the native Igorot from Baguio City—the only northerner in the group.

What Bhava can’t say in words, he expresses through his deep, powerful voice and his use of the mityapi (tri-set lute guitar), kulaleng (native bamboo flute), gangsa (brass gongs) and kubing (bamboo jaw’s harp)—just some of the native instruments Kadangyan uses in its own blend of ethno-tribal rock.

Other indigenous instruments the band uses include Govinda’s main tambol (drum), bidjang, budyong (Mangyan flute), and devil’s water chimes; the high tambol, udan-udan (rain stick), gabbang (bamboo xylophone) and p’tadjong favored by Bhakta Raja; the tukatok of drummer Saryo; and the other percussion instruments used by bassist and backup vocalist Agit.

True, Kadangyan also uses the “traditional” electric bass guitar and drums, but they blend all their instruments’ sounds to produce what Bhava calls “hybrid, MMA music”—short for “mixed music association.” And although coy about their musical influences, the band of 20-something rockers is following in the footsteps of local ethno-rock pioneers Pen-Pen, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad, and Ang Grupong Pendong.

“We idolize all kinds of music; we’re open to integrating hip-hop and other genres into our songs,” Bhava said. But their present sound is undoubtedly rhythm-laden, with beats produced from their native instruments and topped by Bhava’s hypnotic chants.

Still struggling
Despite Kadangyan’s artistic appeal, decade-long existence and relative fame in underground circles, the band is still far from commercial success. In Cebu, they produced 4,000 copies of their self-titled first album. Bhava says the album sold briskly in Mindanao—but they have lost track of how many compact discs they actually sold because their former manager held the master CD.

“We had an agent with a major label before, but the agent wanted to change our style,” Bhava said. “Di kami magkatugma (we could not agree) on the music; they wanted a more commercial sound; we said, ‘OK, but just not pop.’ But they insisted, so huwag na lang (never mind), we’re happy like this. We’re just waiting for our break.”

As a performing band, however, they have found their niche and are a favorite in live, “artsy” music festivals around the country. Now based at an apartment hotel in Cubao, Quezon City, they perform at least once a week, mostly at bars in Manila and Baguio.

“We used to be regulars in Malate [Manila’s entertainment district],” Bhava said. Still, these gigs earn for them, on the average, P30,000 (US$650) a month, which the band says is enough to pay for their rent and living expenses, with some savings set aside.

Overseas, Kadangyan has reached Malaysia and Singapore as regional finalists for Southeast Asia of the Search for Unsigned Talents in Asia in 2009 (Sutasi). A review of the band on Sutasi’s web site says: “Sharing a love of visual and performance art, the band has a strong and unforgettable connection through their music and their devotion to Philippine culture.”

That devotion is one reason why the band has insisted on its artistic independence and is not in a hurry to infiltrate the mainstream. As Govinda explains: “If you’re a responsible artist, you should contribute something to your art. Gusto mo magpalabas ng wala pa sa eksena (You want to release something that’s not on the scene yet).”

Bhava, however, puts another spin to it: “Di ko masabing kuntento na kami (We can’t say we’re content right now). The artists in the Philippines who are talagang (truly) artists don’t get what they deserve. We hope sana kahit papaano (somehow) that, although ‘struggle’ is gasgas (shopworn) among artists, (by struggling) we hope not just to reach the mainstream, but the ‘bloodstream’ so we can reach everybody.”

Lofty ideals
While they wait for their countrymen to better appreciate Philippine ethnic music, Kadangyan goes about promoting in its gigs “a moral and drug-free music” alongside their concern for the environment, the ideals of humanism and universalism, and peace.

That last idea is underscored in their hallmark song “Babanam”—a chant that Bhava says means “only the name of” but is actually a tribute to the mantra “love is all there is.” This is Kadangyan’s most requested song, and the one they usually cap their performances with.

Curiously, the title of the band’s second album due for release is “Mandirigma”—“warrior” in Filipino. Bhava, however, assures it doesn’t mean Kadangyan is turning away from their ideals or their harmonious beats; they are just asserting their rock persona.

It might also be because the band is expressing its discontent with what they see in Filipino society at present. For instance, Bhava rails: “Sa buwis pa lang, hirap na (In taxes alone, we suffer already). Even if you don’t have work, you pay taxes when you buy a pair of pants… there’s not enough rice and sugar to go around, not to mention water and electricity.”

But before people dismiss this as another rant of an eccentric rocker, Bhava and his mates offer some solutions. “The solution is simple: focus on agriculture,” the lead singer says. “Every month we should be expanding our farms. We should have a Green Revolution of sorts again. Everybody should have a backyard plot, and gardens should grow in schools. Also, government should take more control of crucial utilities, because more Filipinos are not able to afford them anymore.”

These words may have been uttered in the light of the coming May 2010 national elections, but the bottom line for Kadangyan is that Filipinos should be self-sufficient—and confident in the beauty of their own music and culture. Bhava offers themselves as examples: “We have no day jobs to speak of, but we are self-supporting. One of us runs a carinderia (eatery), another repairs electronics, and another has a souvenir shop in Boracay (the island resort). So kahit papaano (even though) we don’t have gigs, we are busy.”

And when they do have gigs, they have another enduring mantra, one that Bhava uses as a closing line. “The beauty of every place in the world is in its own culture,” the singer says. The sooner Filipinos realize that, the quicker Kadangyan’s outward success and riches will come.

Share on Facebook

“I’m very excited and very humbled to be considered a modern-day hero,” Cecill said.

It’s because of her time spent with volunteer work that Cecill was chosen for such an honor. Her work began through the Hands on Manila Foundation, a volunteer network that looks at the skills and interests of eager volunteers then matches them with appropriate programs and projects where they can make a difference.

Cecill said through this organization she found her “calling.” A friend later told her she has a heart for social development. Her love for helping others and seeking to give them a better life is seen in everything she does.

Cecill has worked with Hands on Manila Foundation for nearly 7 years as a volunteer leader. She began with a program called Scoring Points, a sports enrichment program that not only aims to help a person to be physically fit but mentally active as well. As a former varsity basketball player from University of Santo Tomas, she coached, trained, and invited other volunteers to teach basketball and mentored boys who were former street children or from rough backgrounds.

She’s also worked with many other projects such as tutoring and mentoring, feeding programs; helping the elderly, the deaf, and abused children; tree planting and house building. She started working with a shelter named Pangarap Foundation where she and others taught sports, arts, and music. Eventually, they developed a drumming program and became the co-founder of the group called “Aquadrummerz” where the shelter residents learned how to play recycled drums using 5-gallon mineral water bottles and were invited to do shows and be guests in concerts.

Cecill came to know William and Deborah Shaw, founders of the Urban Opportunities for Change Foundation, through a friend where they were invited in a gathering of writers. They were impressed with her volunteer work and desire to help others because that’s what their foundation aims to do as well. In November 2009, Cecill joined the Jeepney staff to work alongside them.

Cecill truly is a modern-day hero, making a difference in people’s lives every day through her career with the Jeepney and through her time spent investing in those who need help or encouragement.

“Common people can help others,” said Cecill. “You don’t have to be popular or rich to do something to help.”

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and this is not Cecill’s first time to gain recognition for her hard work. She’s been featured on television programs such as 700 Club Asia, The Knowledge Channel, MTV Pilipinas, ANC Mornings, as well as Fit and Fab, a program empowering women in a segment called “No Nonsense Woman.” She was also recently interviewed by a well-known media personality in the country, Susan Enriquez, and was chosen as “Katangi-tangi Kong Kababayan” for her upcoming show on QTV 11, “Sus Naman!”

For this ABS-CBN Global television spot, Cecill is one of only three Filipinos being featured to show that everyone can make a difference, no matter who or where they are.

Cecill said, “I do this because I know it makes God happy; I do it with all my heart.”

The TV plug will air on the ABS-CBN cable station The Filipino Channle (TFC), to be shown all over the world starting on April 1 leading up to Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9. Be sure to check it out!

Share on Facebook

In line with this, Jeepney, addresses the issue of the lack of food and nutrition for the poor.

SNS or Street News Service, the news agency of The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) came up with an article written by Paul Virgo entitled “Hunger Feeds More Hunger.”  With reports from the UN children’s agency UNICEF, the article manages to underscore how poor nutrition can have a massive impact on children’s development in many parts of the world.

As part of an environmental grant project, a team was developed by the Sambayanan ng Muling Pagkabuhay (SMP) Cooperative in Smokey Mountain. Is this project beneficial to the community? Is it the answer to malnutrition and hunger? Find out, as Julia Nebrija takes us on a journey to the Urban Gardens with vibrant images from Deborah Shaw.

Also check out KC Concepcion’s exclusive interview and find out her other passion aside from being a popular multi-media star; while visual artist Joey Velasco shares to us his paintings and visions in the Arts and Entertainment page.

Jeepney is still available at Parksquare1 in Makati and at the UP Shopping Center. You can now also get the Jeepney at the heart of the country’s bargain capital in Divisoria at Crystalline Candy Commercial, Sto. Cristo St., near Metrobank and in Intramuros along P. Burgos St. right in front of the golf course across the Manila City Hall, look for Tatay Rodolfo Jimenez.

Grab your copies of the Jeepney now …  your favorite vendors are waiting for you!

(c) 2010 Photo by Deborah Shaw

Share on Facebook

Filipino players in the Homeless World Cup, Italy 2009

There are three new exciting things we have in preparation for The 2010 Homeless World Cup tournament.

One is to say that it will be held on September 19th-26th in Rio de Janerio, Brazil - and we are once again gearing up to change the lives of 8 homeless people from the informal dwellings of Manila (or charity institutions).

Secondly we have appointed the 2010 HWC Team Philippines Director – Rudy Del Rosario who has tried to spread the love for football in his own village by hosting a summer camp called “The Art of Playing Football School” (APFS), which he started in 2001.

Third, we are now launching the 2010 Team Philippines Website. http://www.streetsoccerphilippines.com . Keep track of the exciting try-outs, who’s in to help, how you can be a part of this inspiring, nation changing movement of sending 8 homeless people to represent the Philippines  in the Homeless World Cup in Brazil this September!

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook