An artist for peace

MANILA, Philippines - Since time immemorial, Filipinos patronized foreign music: Spanish, American, Taiwanese and recently, Korean. Today, the spotlight has finally and rightfully focused on an artist from southern Mindanao: Datu Khomeini Camsa Bansuan, 28, from Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Khomeini’s music reflects how Moro people want to express themselves: from “messageless” lullabies, to warrior’s expressions of inspiration, to love and invocation for the coming of peacetime. Today it has transformed to a more lyrical love stories, an OFW’s motivation, and music with social message.

Khomeini is grateful a Moro artist like him has made inroads in mainstream music. His songs especially the Galugod — a modified Maguindanaon version of the ‘70s hit song Sometimes When We Touch — has been played in various local radio stations in the country.

Khomeini points out that his songs are expressions not only of himself but his roots. “I try to put myself in the shoes of the whole Moro community and try to sing with their voices. The best label I think is that I am the one who has the heart and voice of the Moro. I am flattered by the good feedback in the Internet from people in the Philippines, Dubai, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.”