Cordillera artists
>> Thursday, September 23, 2021
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
SAGADA, Mountain Province – The Cordillera had produced and been home to artists, musicians and writers. In this rustic town alone, foreign and local artists have set up residence since the 1960’s. The towering journalist and Cordillera historian William Henry Scott had settled here at the Mission Compound since the 1950’s and did his finest work until his death a few years back.
We were fortunate to have hobnobbed with some of them. Just to mention a few, there was this drummer of the Men at Work band from Australia who stayed here and taught kids how to play the musical instrument. If you know the song, “Who can it be now,” chances are, you are my age.
***
One time, we had a bonfire near the Boys Dorm with two German musicians who visited in the early 80’s. Everyone was amazed at how they played rock songs using two acoustic guitars with tuning only they knew. In the group were two male Israelis, somebody from Africa, a Japanese and at least four Caucasian women making one remark, the group was the United Nations.
The night could have gone on perfectly, except for one of the locals pestering the Israelis to ask the Germans how they felt about World War 2. Despite our brains addled with gin, it was good somebody still retained his sanity to ask the troublemaker to shut up or he will throw him down the mountain.
Many have come and gone, the likes of painter Aster Tecson (God bless his soul) and many more like the group Asin who held concerts here. In recent years, Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Noel Cabangon and others held what they called a “concert among the clouds” at Barangay Suyo near the Blue Mountain and Sumaguing Cave.
***
These kinds of people are what maybe this troubled world needs. They go about their way without thinking how to derail others but to contribute to civilization. That is why, it is nice to know that over the years, some locals from the Cordillera have also excelled in such fields like the likes of sketch artist Jordan Mangusan, Roland Bay-an and musicians like international recording artist and Baguio Boy Tito Mina of “Ikaw pa rin” fame who now resides in the Netherlands with his Caucasian wife.
Alan del Rosario is another Baguio Boy who composed the popular song “Sagada.” In the early 80’s. My neighbor in the opposite page March Fianza says Alan was able to get the “feel” of Sagada with that song.
There are many others but latest is another world-class endeavor by Cordillerans.
**
After its world premiere at the Cinemalaya 2021 Indie Nation Shorts Section, Abrenian Heritage Film Festival 2021, “Salidumay” has been selected to participate in the 11th International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City.
Cordilleran actress Mai Fanglayan leads “Salidumay,” a short film by Dexter Macaraeg, for the weeklong Sine Abreño, which ended on Sept. 12 in a virtual celebration of the Film Industry Month via Zoom.
Mai portrays Ayo, a Tingguian with mixed Ibaloi blood from Abra, who goes on her first date ever at a Korean restaurant.
Franz (Kenneth Jhayve Bautista), a former seminarian who grew up in Abra but moved to Baguio City, can’t seem to find love through dating apps, and decides to use his culture’s methods to arrange a marriage.
Their differences lead to a small collision of expectation and perspectives, but what it opens up in the tension offers a glimmer of hope for the would-be couple.
Actor and model Kenneth Jhayve Bautista portrays Mai’s love interest, supported by Janet Mondata, Julius Legoen Lumiqued, Seth Wayne, Blas Chacapna, Austin Docyogen, Eric Kelly, and Janet Tayab Soriano.
Vicky Macay and Lilian Ocan Siapol Castro are introduced as Ibaloi grandmothers, with special participation by Director Emmanuel Dela Cruz and theater actor Onyl Torres.
The Salidumay creative team includes Director of Photography and Editor Shem Padua and Assistant Director Jonnie Lyn Dasalla; Cameras: Romnick Bayeng, JC Patnao; Makeup Artist: Ellen Castro Herrera; Production Manager: Melinda Ocan Castro; Producer: Janet Tayab Soriano; and theme song by Sherylene Bagayao from Sallapadan, Abra.
SAGADA, Mountain Province – The Cordillera had produced and been home to artists, musicians and writers. In this rustic town alone, foreign and local artists have set up residence since the 1960’s. The towering journalist and Cordillera historian William Henry Scott had settled here at the Mission Compound since the 1950’s and did his finest work until his death a few years back.
We were fortunate to have hobnobbed with some of them. Just to mention a few, there was this drummer of the Men at Work band from Australia who stayed here and taught kids how to play the musical instrument. If you know the song, “Who can it be now,” chances are, you are my age.
***
One time, we had a bonfire near the Boys Dorm with two German musicians who visited in the early 80’s. Everyone was amazed at how they played rock songs using two acoustic guitars with tuning only they knew. In the group were two male Israelis, somebody from Africa, a Japanese and at least four Caucasian women making one remark, the group was the United Nations.
The night could have gone on perfectly, except for one of the locals pestering the Israelis to ask the Germans how they felt about World War 2. Despite our brains addled with gin, it was good somebody still retained his sanity to ask the troublemaker to shut up or he will throw him down the mountain.
Many have come and gone, the likes of painter Aster Tecson (God bless his soul) and many more like the group Asin who held concerts here. In recent years, Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Noel Cabangon and others held what they called a “concert among the clouds” at Barangay Suyo near the Blue Mountain and Sumaguing Cave.
***
These kinds of people are what maybe this troubled world needs. They go about their way without thinking how to derail others but to contribute to civilization. That is why, it is nice to know that over the years, some locals from the Cordillera have also excelled in such fields like the likes of sketch artist Jordan Mangusan, Roland Bay-an and musicians like international recording artist and Baguio Boy Tito Mina of “Ikaw pa rin” fame who now resides in the Netherlands with his Caucasian wife.
Alan del Rosario is another Baguio Boy who composed the popular song “Sagada.” In the early 80’s. My neighbor in the opposite page March Fianza says Alan was able to get the “feel” of Sagada with that song.
There are many others but latest is another world-class endeavor by Cordillerans.
**
After its world premiere at the Cinemalaya 2021 Indie Nation Shorts Section, Abrenian Heritage Film Festival 2021, “Salidumay” has been selected to participate in the 11th International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City.
Cordilleran actress Mai Fanglayan leads “Salidumay,” a short film by Dexter Macaraeg, for the weeklong Sine Abreño, which ended on Sept. 12 in a virtual celebration of the Film Industry Month via Zoom.
Mai portrays Ayo, a Tingguian with mixed Ibaloi blood from Abra, who goes on her first date ever at a Korean restaurant.
Franz (Kenneth Jhayve Bautista), a former seminarian who grew up in Abra but moved to Baguio City, can’t seem to find love through dating apps, and decides to use his culture’s methods to arrange a marriage.
Their differences lead to a small collision of expectation and perspectives, but what it opens up in the tension offers a glimmer of hope for the would-be couple.
Actor and model Kenneth Jhayve Bautista portrays Mai’s love interest, supported by Janet Mondata, Julius Legoen Lumiqued, Seth Wayne, Blas Chacapna, Austin Docyogen, Eric Kelly, and Janet Tayab Soriano.
Vicky Macay and Lilian Ocan Siapol Castro are introduced as Ibaloi grandmothers, with special participation by Director Emmanuel Dela Cruz and theater actor Onyl Torres.
The Salidumay creative team includes Director of Photography and Editor Shem Padua and Assistant Director Jonnie Lyn Dasalla; Cameras: Romnick Bayeng, JC Patnao; Makeup Artist: Ellen Castro Herrera; Production Manager: Melinda Ocan Castro; Producer: Janet Tayab Soriano; and theme song by Sherylene Bagayao from Sallapadan, Abra.
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