Learn Kulintang Music
for Southern Philippine Dance
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO SERIES
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Discover the Rich Sounds of Southern Philippine Music!
Unlock the vibrant rhythms and melodies of the Southern Philippines with our upcoming instructional video series. Dive deep into a musical tradition that’s rich with history, cultural significance, and mesmerizing sounds. Whether you’re a musician looking to expand your repertoire, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about this unique music, this series will take you on an unforgettable journey.
This Instructional Video Series is made possible through the Living Cultures Grant Program, a program of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA).
Learn About the Music and Peoples of the Southern Philippines
The Philippines is inhabited by more than 182 ethnolinguistic groups. In this series, we’ll explore the music traditions of groups from the Mindanao Region, including: Maguindanao, Maranao, and the Sulu Archipelago.
Maguindanao
Learn the complexities of Maguindanao kulintang music featuring the new style composition Binalig. Generations of musicians communicate through the gongs. Versions of each piece vary in every village. Processional music played by a small handheld gong and snare drum enliven the Sagayan warrior dance that brings forth good spirits. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan
Maranao
Professional female performing artists compose and transmit songs through the Maranao kolintang tradition. Kanditagaonan is the basic children’s piece for all students. Dance accompaniments align with the improvised choreographies for Kasingkil—a bamboo dance for women—and many traditional movements. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Usopay Cadar.
Sulu Archipelago
Lively gong music known as tagunggu accompanies graceful movements from the Igal and Pangalay dance genres of the Sulu Archipelago. Tungkil is the dance accompaniment to study along with the musical overture Lisag panagnaan. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Taalao Manandao.
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Learn the Instruments
What is in a Kulintang Ensemble?
The kulintang ensemble includes a variety of gong and drum instruments. Kulintang music is performed in various social contexts - for entertainment, celebration, community events, competition, courtship, weddings, as well as for healing rituals. Every region throughout the southern Philippines has their own distinct instrumentation for their gong-chime ensembles.
Kulintang
Kulintang is the main melodic instrument that consists of 8 small knobbed gongs laid horizontally across a long wooden stand.
Agong
Two larger and lower-pitched vertical hanging gongs called agong provide the rhythmic accompaniment.
Dabakan
A goblet-shaped or gourd shaped carved wooden drum called dabakan is played with long, thin rattan sticks.
Gandingan
Four hanging gongs used for sending messages primarily in the Magindanao kulintang ensemble
Babandil
Small hand-held gong used as the timekeeper to the ensemble.
Tambul
An Indigenized wooden snare drum.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Southern Philippine music and dance. Fill out the form below to join our community and stay updated on all the latest news and updates!
Cultural Practitioners
Here are just a few of the cultural practitioners we have referenced from for our lessons – and more!
Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan
Born in the village of Datu Piang, Cotabato, the late Danny Kalanduyan is considered the father of kulintang music in the United States. As the first Maguindanao Filipino American to receive the National Heritage Award, Kalanduyan’s legacy of teaching Maguindanao and Maranao kulintang music continues through many of his students and direct descendants.
Born in the village of Datu Piang, Cotabato, the late Danny Kalanduyan is considered the father of kulintang music in the United States. As the first Maguindanao Filipino American to receive the National Heritage Award, Kalanduyan’s legacy of teaching Maguindanao and Maranao kulintang music continues through many of his students and direct descendants.
Usopay Cadar
As the first kolintang musician to arrive in the United States, Dr. Cadar has pioneered the dissemination of diasporic kolintang music. Teaching many of his students repertoire from the Maranao people of Taraka, Lanao Del Sur, Cadar has instilled valuable cultural nuances that highlight the uniqueness of Maranao cultural performing arts.
As the first kolintang musician to arrive in the United States, Dr. Cadar has pioneered the dissemination of diasporic kolintang music. Teaching many of his students repertoire from the Maranao people of Taraka, Lanao Del Sur, Cadar has instilled valuable cultural nuances that highlight the uniqueness of Maranao cultural performing arts.
Taalao Manandao
Mastering the Sama performing arts from the Sulu Archipelago, the late Taalao Manandao was both an educator and cultural performer from Panglima Sugala, Tawitawi. His legacy has been integral in the preservation of culture and the arts.
Mastering the Sama performing arts from the Sulu Archipelago, the late Taalao Manandao was both an educator and cultural performer from Panglima Sugala, Tawitawi. His legacy has been integral in the preservation of culture and the arts.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Southern Philippine music and dance. Fill out the form below to join our community and stay updated on all the latest news and updates!
Meet the Instructors
Unlock the vibrant rhythms and melodies of the Southern Philippines with our upcoming instructional video series.
Bernard Ellorin
is an adjunct faculty of music at Miramar College in San Diego County, California. Ellorin’s academic and community work spans over 31 years of educating Filipino American and non-Filipino American communities on Filipino diasporic performing arts.
As the artistic director of the Pakaraguian (PAW-KAH-RAW-GYAN) kulintang ensemble Ellorin provides educational workshops rooted in honoring the cultural practitioners before him.
is an adjunct faculty of music at Miramar College in San Diego County, California. Ellorin’s academic and community work spans over 31 years of educating Filipino American and non-Filipino American communities on Filipino diasporic performing arts.
As the artistic director of the Pakaraguian (PAW-KAH-RAW-GYAN) kulintang ensemble Ellorin provides educational workshops rooted in honoring the cultural practitioners before him.
Eleanor Lipat-Chesler
is a co-founder of Ube Arte performing arts research and education organization and a founding member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. She studied music and anthropology at Barnard College and ethnomusicology at UCLA, where she wrote her M.A. thesis on gender issues in transnational kulintang performance. In 2020 she co-edited Our Culture Resounds, Our Future Reveals: A Legacy of Filipino American Performing Arts in California with Mary Talusan.
is a co-founder of Ube Arte performing arts research and education organization and a founding member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. She studied music and anthropology at Barnard College and ethnomusicology at UCLA, where she wrote her M.A. thesis on gender issues in transnational kulintang performance. In 2020 she co-edited Our Culture Resounds, Our Future Reveals: A Legacy of Filipino American Performing Arts in California with Mary Talusan.
Kim Kalanduyan
is the eldest grandchild of the late master artist Danongan Kalanduyan, Kim Kalanduyan is a kulintang musician, vocalist, and dancer with the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble (PKE) and Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center. Kim continues the Kalanduyan family legacy through her work with PKE by maintaining the traditional values that are passed down through each family generation. She is also the founder and CEO of Native Filipinyana – an online retailer that bridges Maguindanao textile culture and contemporary fashion.
is the eldest grandchild of the late master artist Danongan Kalanduyan, Kim Kalanduyan is a kulintang musician, vocalist, and dancer with the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble (PKE) and Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center. Kim continues the Kalanduyan family legacy through her work with PKE by maintaining the traditional values that are passed down through each family generation. She is also the founder and CEO of Native Filipinyana – an online retailer that bridges Maguindanao textile culture and contemporary fashion.
Marlo Campos
was born into a musical family and has been watching Pilipino Culture Nights since the 1990s.
Marlo is also a member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and occasionally plays with other rondallas such as the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center based in San Diego and with members of the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles. Currently, he is the Musical Director of Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts in Los Angeles.
was born into a musical family and has been watching Pilipino Culture Nights since the 1990s.
Marlo is also a member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and occasionally plays with other rondallas such as the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts & Education Center based in San Diego and with members of the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles. Currently, he is the Musical Director of Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts in Los Angeles.
Peter de Guzman
is a dancer, choreographer and dance ethnologist and is currently the artistic director for Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts based in Los Angeles. A graduate of UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures/Dance, Peter sees all the world’s dance forms as equal and relevant. Peter has dedicated his research and practice on the Pangalay dance from the southern Philippines to represent the modern day Filipino American experience.
is a dancer, choreographer and dance ethnologist and is currently the artistic director for Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts based in Los Angeles. A graduate of UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures/Dance, Peter sees all the world’s dance forms as equal and relevant. Peter has dedicated his research and practice on the Pangalay dance from the southern Philippines to represent the modern day Filipino American experience.
Michelle Camaya Julian
Michelle Camaya Julian has been affiliated with Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts for over 3 decades, original member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, is a Lecturer in Dance at UCSD (Filipino folk dance & Yoga for Dance), received a BA in Dance from UC Irvine, Assistant Director and Choreographer for RB Community Theater, a substitute teacher for 4 school districts and teaches Bikram & Inferno Hot Pilates at several yoga studios throughout San Diego. She has had an extensive career in musical theater.
Michelle Camaya Julian has been affiliated with Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts for over 3 decades, original member of Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, is a Lecturer in Dance at UCSD (Filipino folk dance & Yoga for Dance), received a BA in Dance from UC Irvine, Assistant Director and Choreographer for RB Community Theater, a substitute teacher for 4 school districts and teaches Bikram & Inferno Hot Pilates at several yoga studios throughout San Diego. She has had an extensive career in musical theater.
Janet Asuncion
With a degree in architecture, Janet Asuncion joined PKE in 2016, and has mastered several kulintang pieces. As our social media content creator, she also makes agong, gandingan and dabakan beaters for our community of practice.
With a degree in architecture, Janet Asuncion joined PKE in 2016, and has mastered several kulintang pieces. As our social media content creator, she also makes agong, gandingan and dabakan beaters for our community of practice.
Mary Grace Nievera
Dancing since the age of 6, Mary Grace is a dance instructor and star performer with Samahan Performing Arts and the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. Mary Grace studies several different dance genres from cultural dance practitioners based in both the Philippines and the US.
Dancing since the age of 6, Mary Grace is a dance instructor and star performer with Samahan Performing Arts and the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble. Mary Grace studies several different dance genres from cultural dance practitioners based in both the Philippines and the US.
Annalisa de Guzman
Anna Lisa de Guzman is the Executive Director and co-founder of Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts based in Los Angeles. She is a Filipino-American artist and cultural ambassador who is dedicated to honoring the Filipino culture through dance and music. Her research background involves dance intensives with Ramon Obusan Folkloric Dance Troupe and Bayanihan, as well as work with different indigenous dance practitioners.
Anna Lisa de Guzman is the Executive Director and co-founder of Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts based in Los Angeles. She is a Filipino-American artist and cultural ambassador who is dedicated to honoring the Filipino culture through dance and music. Her research background involves dance intensives with Ramon Obusan Folkloric Dance Troupe and Bayanihan, as well as work with different indigenous dance practitioners.
This Instructional Video Series is made possible through the Living Cultures Grant Program, a program of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA).
Don't miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Southern Philippine music and dance. Fill out the form below to join our community and stay updated on all the latest news and updates!