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Friday, March 29, 2024

Guagua stresses role of ukulele in town history

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Guagua, Pampanga—Local officials of this first-class municipality once again have recognized the ukulele, a four-stringed musical instrument, in giving them pride and dignity and livelihood for 85 percent of its residents over the last 110 years.

The village of San Anton, billed as the ukulele and guitar capital of Philippines, was recognized for the first time during the town’s 428th Foundation Day called “Aldo Ning Balen Guagua” with the motto “Re-Awakening Consciousness Towards Reminiscence of the Town History.”

The first Ukulele Festival, held last May 15, was not only recognized for its contribution to the well-being of the residents and community in general, but also aims to attract tourists both local and foreign alike, Mayor Dante Torres said.

Guagua has 31 barangays, but San Antonio—since abbreviated to San Anton—is famous for its ukulele and guitar makers who have been patronized by local and foreign buyers for the past century and decade.

Ukuleles trace their origin to Hawaii, and like the guitar is a member of the lute family of instruments.

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The ukulele industry here started in 1908 along Tramo St. in San Anton by the Bacani family, whose patriarch transferred the business to his son-in-law Angel Lumanog, who remains the prime brand of the instrument in the country. 

Bacani also produced the first commercial guitar in the Philippines.

Torres said for the foundation day highlighted San Anton’s industry, and said the local government will “improve and enchant the industry” to make it more competitive in the world market, with potential buyers in Europe, North America, and the rest of the Asia Pacific.

“We want more people to know about our industry,” he said.

The local government will also provide financial and technical assistance through banks to producers and manufacturers to make them competitive in the global market.

Torres urges the producers and manufacturers to come up with standardized prices for mass production for local and global market.

Ukulele and guitars are made up of different materials mostly woods like Apitong, Tanguile and Mahogany that command highest prices from P3,500 up to P5,000 but still depending on the demand of the buyers that also calls for a higher price.

Local ukuleles are cheaper at P1,200 apiece.

The town history shows Ukulele and guitars were used in the rural courtship and in kundiman songs.

The introduction of Rondallas also boosted the production of these lute instruments as more schools, religious groups and companies organized their own singing groups as form of entertainment.

Today, Ukulele and guitars made in San Anton can stand against foreign branded instruments like Yamaha, Gibson and Fender. 

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