Sentro Rizal Washington, D.C. Caps Nat’l Heritage Month with Music of Waway Linsahay Saway

Artist and musician Waway Linsahay Saway from the Talaandig tribe of Bukidnon plays the “koglong” in one of his musical performances during the National Heritage Month celebration at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on 23 May 2019. (Washington D.C. photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 30 May 2019 – Sentro Rizal Washington DC and Tanghalang Pilipino Washington DC proudly presents the indigenous music of Waway Linsahay Saway, an artist and musician from the Talaandig tribe of Bukidnon during the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.’s concluding celebration of National Heritage Month at the Chancery Annex on 23 May 2019.

Philippine Presidential Proclamation No. 439, s. 2003 declares the month of May as National Heritage Month (NHM) whose observance aims to strengthen people's consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history.

This year, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has adopted the theme, "Mga Pinuno Para sa Pamana" as a challenge to each and every individual to take the lead in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage.

“Let us also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Filipino artists, the artisans, the cultural workers, and to the indigenous communities in the Philippines for strengthening the fabric of Filipino society. Their contributions to the progress of our nation are priceless and should always be remembered,” said Sentro Rizal Administrator and Public Diplomacy Officer Darell Artates in her opening remarks.

Mr. Saway demonstrated how he uses the two-stringed musical instrument “koglong” in playing indigenous music for courtship and lullabies, and proceeded to do a set of indigenous musical presentations to the delight and fascination of the audience. He also introduced his tribe and the Taalandig Tribe Band as custodians of the Kitanglad Rainforest in Bukidnon through a video presentation.

He further stressed the importance of taking care of our rainforests saying that everything that indigenous people need for their survival is provided by nature. “When the forest is destroyed, the inspiration of indigenous music is also destroyed,” he said.

Mr. Saway also engaged the audience in an interactive demonstration of the musical instrument “kubing” – a type of Philippine jaw harp made from a hand carved piece of bamboo – wherein the audience got to perform with Waway using their own kubings.

Tanghalang Pilipino Washington DC member and community leader Jon Melegrito served as the emcee of the program. Mr. Melegrito together with Tanghalang Pilipino’s Yvonne Reyes led and coordinated the efforts to ensure the success of the event.

A simple Filipino merienda was also prepared and served to the guests prior to the start of the program. END

Artist and musician, Waway Linsahay Saway from the Talaandig tribe of Bukidnon plays the “kubing” in front of a full house crowd during the National Heritage Month celebration at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on 23 May 2019. (Washington D.C. photo)

(Left to right) Community leader Jon Melegrito; artist and musician Waway Linsahay Saway; Sentro Rizal Administrator and Public Diplomacy Officer Darell Artates; and Tanghalang Pilipino Washington DC’s Yvonne Reyes after the program. (Washington D.C. photo)

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA or @philippinesusa on Twitter