The Kulintang Zone: ILI Dances and Friends
This performance featured a stellar crew of performers from Hawaiʻi and California. For this presentation, Bernard Ellorin (Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble and Scholar), Caroline Cabading (Kultura Kapwa and Manilatown Advocate), Kim Kalanduyan (Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble and grandchild of the late Danongan “Danny” Sibay Kalanduyan- kulintang master), Desiree Quintero (ILI Dances and Scholar), Wayland Quintero (ILI Dances and Multidisciplinary Performing Artist), assembled to share a selection of “original heavy metal music” of the Southern Philippines. All members of this ensemble conducted extensive research in the Philippines and in North Borneo, Malaysia and brought a range of knowledge and performative experiences to this rare presentation of kulintang music with dance in Hawaiʻi.
Program:
1) Kakini-kini —a stately walk and song by an onor (professional female performing artist)
2) Kapagonor
3) Kaluntang—originally a piece played on “luntang” (wooden logs), the late Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan adapted the piece for a trio of three kulintang musicians to simulate the melody used to drive birds away from the rice fields.
4) Duyog—meaning “to chase” it is an older composition traditionally played to honor the royal houses of Maguindanao
5) Sinulog a Kamamatuan —derived from the word “sulog” (movements of the River) the piece is much slower in tempo like ripples of the Pulangi River
6) Binalig (send messages on Gandingan ) —a lively composition in the Kangungudan (new style) used to send messages
7) Sinulog a Kangungudan – popular with young musicians, it is a sentimental favorite for kulintang competitions.
8) Kappa malong malong
9) Sua-Sua — a Tausug song from the paggabbang vocal genre
10) Sungsung Patubig —translated as “meet me near the sea”
11) Pangalay
12) Apas apas
13) Pangalay
14) Kasulampid
15) Short music interlude
16) Kanditagaonan
17) Kapagapir
18) Kapagonor Reprise
The concert series was a joint effort between UH Mānoa Outreach College, UH Mānoa Music Department, the East-West Center Arts Program, and Friends of Mānoa Library.