Unmasking MUNGKANGHAN

Ethnic band Mungkanghan uniquely performs with the use masks. They hope that in this way, the focus would be on their music as well as the message they want to pass on to their audience-and not on their appearance.

Keep your heart thumping with the sounds of djembe, bass guitar, drums, kulintang, rainstick, gang-sa, flute, bongos, kawayan, kubing and timbale. Jam to the tribal beats of Mungkanghan.

Mungkanghan is an ethnic band who have shared their kind of music in events like the Alay Lakad 2006, the USC Students night, 2nd national Healthcare expo, the album launching of another band called Pasakanin and a whole lot more.

Band member Dominique Sabiona said, "The band was formed in the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus by a group of long-haired and dread-locked students as a sign of protest to the school's new rule-no long hair, and the implementation of the boy's uniform."

With that goal in mind, the group played in various events that would help send their point across to concerned people. It turned out their brand of music clicked with audiences that consequently, special requests for them to perform came pouring in. And so, they decided to continue the progress of the band from a sort of protest to a group that aims to be of help to their fellow youth through their music.

Presently, the group has 11 members namely: Fritz "Nityananda" Daclan on vocals; Gf in gongs and percussions; Dominique "Dras" Sabiona in ashiko; Chris Ladaño in djembe; Carlo Rodriguez in djembe (bass); Jade Lim in kawayan; Fraynere "Kulas" Holganza in djembe and percussions; Dexter "Master" Rusia in kulingtang and percussions; Ritchie "Cheng" Angel in drums; Ruben "Nico" Ybañez in bass and percussions; Lovely Criscelle Miguela in flute and rain Stick with sessionists from the band Kadangyan, Govinda and Markey, in percussions.

Ruben Ybañez said, "I joined Mungkanghan for my love of world music, and knowing that our ethnic music may still be made new in the hearts of everyone in the world."

Other members of the band joined Mungkanghan for the music, the fun, the excitement, to share what they know, to help, and to promote ethno music.

Fritz Daclan said, "Gusto mi nga pinaagi sa among mga kanta matagaan ug gamay nga knowledge ang mga youth sa social issues karon. (We want the youth to know about the present social issues through our songs.)"

The group is now made up of both students and out-of-school youth who endeavor to represent various faces of today's young people and be heard. They wish to impart their knowledge on how to play indigenous musical instruments and encourage more people to appreciate ethnic music. Mungkanghan has added as well their own flavor to the term "ethnic" by using Sanskrit as the medium for songwriting and by combining musical genres to create chants and songs that cut across all religions.

Like any other band, Mungkanghan has had their share of ups and downs, but they have handled these so far with "understanding and respect for one another," according to Daclan.

Interestingly, Mungkanghan performs with the use masks; in this way the focus would be on their music and the message they want to pass on to audiences-and not on their appearances. They have style, promote social awareness and play unique beats. What more can you ask for in a band?

Mungkanghan will be performing on October 28-29 in Café Havana and on Pasakanin's concert tour finale on December 8. For more information about the band and their gigs, check their friendster account ([email protected]).