Sarangani Province, home to the well-loved tasty tuna which abounds on its waters, sizzled with the recent MunaTo International Music Festival to mark its 23rd Founding Day anniversary.
Now on its 13th edition, the celebration captured the many facets of Sarangani through a world music-inspired extravaganza at the Provincial Capitol Complex in Alabel.
Taking center stage was celebrated traditional sape player Mathew Ngau Jau and the Living Heritage of Malaysia. The sapeh, a short-necked lute, is the indigenous instrument of tribal peoples living along the rivers of Sarawak state of Malaysian Borneo. Ngau Jau of the Ngorek tribe is one of the few professional sapeh players and is recognized as the undisputed authority on the instrument.
The group also conducted lectures and cultural exchanges with Tboli indigenous musicians in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato who are known for their age-old “kudyapi” string instrument.
Adding ethnic beat was international performer Rodelio “Waway” Saway and his Talaandig Band who mesmerized the crowd with their tribal music reflecting the soul of the lumad tribes of Mindanao. The Bukidnon-based visual artist was among the 10 winners in the 2012 Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Award from the Visayas-Mindanao area.
Provincial officials led by Governor Steve Solon, Vice-Governor Jinkee Pacquiao, and Congressman and “Pambansang Kamao” Manny Pacquiao, and provincial tourism council president Michelle Lopez-Solon opened the two-day fete.
Solon said that Sarangani has reformatted MunaTo Festival into an international musical extravaganza to capture the province’s 2,000-year old history and showcase its cultural kaleidoscope.
MunaTo is a Blaan word or “first people” referring to the pre-historic primitive inhabitants who dwelt in the remote caves of Maitum town.
Other special events were the Dalangen, which displayed the province’s ethnic cultural heritage through authentic song, dance and apparel. Sarangani is home to Maguindanaoan, Blaan and Tboli communities who live harmoniously.
Meanwhile, the Pearl of Sarangani pageant selected the province’s ambassadresses of tourism and goodwill, which was topped by Juvel Odiano, a charmer from Glan town.
Concluding the festivity was Aegis band, known for their birit notes, which rocked the night away in an open party with local bands joining the jamming sessions.
MunaTo is inspired by the sought-after Rainforest World Music Festival, regarded as the “Woodstock of Asia”, which gathers the globe’s best ethnic-inspired musicians in Kuching, Sarawak and draws tens of thousands of enthusiasts.
