Hundreds of Lumad evacuees and their support groups witness the launching of the latest music video entitled Salupongan (unity) created for the indigenous peoples and their struggles defending their ancestral lands. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
Correction: The song was composed and arranged by Onie Badiang and Dodjie Fernandez, respectively. – Ed
DAVAO CITY — Various Filipino veteran actors and artists collaborated to perform for a music video that campaigns for the Lumads of Mindanao.
The music video “Salupongan” launched its world premier on Saturday, March 5 at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Haran Compound here.
More than a hundred people gathered to attend the launching of the 2nd music video which was produced by the Salugpungan International and Save Our Schools Network, and directed by multi-awarded director, Carlos Siguion-Reyna.
“Salupongan”, a Manobo word for unity, highlights the issue of militarization in Mindanao and its effects on the indigenous peoples.
Leah Valle of Salugpungan International said the “Salupongan” music video is about the solidarity of Lumad, teachers, and other sectors affected by militarization in the ancestral lands.
“It is a story about the people who stand with them in their fight for freedom. It inspires people to strive in achieving genuine progress based on social justice,” she said.
Participating artists include: actors and singers John Arcilla, Direk Bobot Mortiz, Christopher De Leon, Isay Alvarez, Robert Sena, Bayang Barrions, Bo Cerrudo, Loy Martinez, Myke Salomon, Aicelle Santos, Cris Villonco, the cast of Rak of Aegis, Rody Vera, Denggai Silorio, Nonnyx, Celina S. Cristóbal, Rica L. Nepomuceno, Mae Paner, members of Patatag, Coro de Sta. Cecilia, UP Cherubim and Seraphim, BULSU Saring Himig, Elena Rivera-Mirano, and Krix San Gabriel. The song was composed by Onie Badiang and arranged by Dodjie Fernandez. Davao-based artist group Tunog Bobongan also contributed to the song’s lyrics, while Christopher Borela and Krina Punsalan Cayabyab assisted with the vocal arrangement.
Valle shared that they did not expect that there will be a lot of artists who will join the music video.
“What I remembered was we only contacted five artists to participate in the song production. Surprisingly, a lot of performers supported the call of the Lumad people,” she said.
She also shared that the artists were able to meet and hear the stories of the Lumads during the month-long human rights caravan, Manilakbayan last October.
The Salupongan music video was also simultaneous launched at the UP Diliman Film Institute. (davaotoday.com)
