MANILA, Philippines - SM Mall of Asia (MOA), in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), recently celebrated the weeklong Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino with a performance of some of the best Filipino talents.
Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino aims to promote and develop Original Pilipino Music (OPM), and this year’s celebration showcased the diversity of our cultures.
The show was inspired by the eight cultures that shaped who we are today: Kultura ng Pagdidiwata or the Indigenous which depicts the creative forces of nature and ancestral spirits; Kultura ng Pag-uukit at Pag-uuma or Muslim, a poetic and mysticism and devotion to Islam; Kultura ng Pamamanata or Folk, a devotion to patron saints and community; and Kultura ng Pananahan or Love Songs, one’s devotion to the home and family.
It also featured Kultura ng Paglilining or Pangangatwiran, Classical Filipino, in which arts are cultivated as a separate human activity; Kultura ng Pag-aaliw or Pop, a culture of entertainment; Social Criticism or social issues, concern and protest and Kultura ng Pagka-Pilipino at Pagkabansa or Nationalism, a devotion to the nation as a separate human activity.
Hosted by John Hendrix, the show featured OPM singer and composer Joey Ayala who gave the audience a taste of his indigenous music. Noel Cabangon, the voice behind the song Kanlungan or Panapanahon, performed songs that tell about social change. Cabangon worked closely with the NCCA to institutionalize the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino.
2013 Grand Performer of the World Beverly Caimen, on the other hand, serenaded the audience with pop and love songs.
The Halili Cruz-Dance Company, a seven- time Ani ng Dangal honoree, performed Ngayon at Kailanman which gave the audience a culture of reflection; while the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild highlighted its advocacy in promoting our culture through dance and music.