25 November 2005 --  The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that in its effort to highlight the national unifying features in Southern Philippines and to promote appreciation of the region's rich cultural tradition, a program entitled, "Mindanao: Living Traditions," was presented on 21 November 2005 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

Consul General Cecilia Rebong said four music and dance master artists from Maguindanao delighted Filipino and American audiences as they played Mindanao indigenous musical instruments, demonstrated the significance of dances to describe a way of life and emphasized the meanings derived from wearing a Malong or a Tubao.

"The four Maguindanao artists and Kinding Sindaw, under the direction of Maranao princess Potri Ranka Manis, are all "tradition-bearers" in their own right," Consul General Cecilia Rebong informed her audience as she reiterated the importance of experiencing authentic culture direct from the people who "own" the culture themselves. A lively discussion clarifying the ways of life of the Maguindanaons and Maranaos, their customs and traditions followed during the program's Q and A portion.

Performing to a capacity crowd, Faisal Monal, Akmad Siao, Teng Emba and Karatuan Kalanduyan played the Kulintang, the Agong, Gandingan , Kutyapi, Dabakan, and Babendil to let the audience hear centuries-old music of Maguindanaoan coronation rites and the music of the Upstream River people (Taga-/aya) and the Downstream River people (Taga-//od) to express messages of love and war.

"Mindanao: Living Traditions" was a cultural and educational program of the Philippine Consulate General held in cooperation with Kinding Sindaw, a New York-based Philippine cultural group and Citibank. The program included local prayer and ceremonial chants, and demonstrations on how one dresses up with the Malong and puts on the Tubao (handwoven headdress worn by men from the region) to signify social standing.  Also performed were the colorful Maranao classic butterfly dance Paga-aper-aper and the Maguindanao Sagayan ceremonial dance. The artists-dancers included Aziza Amira Queano and Malaika Queano of Kinding Sindaw.

As added features, Professor Nur Queano of the University of the Philippines discussed the Maranao tradition of Bailabi or enthronement of a princess. Professor Dan Bacalzo of New York University talked on the significance of tradition bearers in the performance of authenticity. END
 
 

/bjg