Kuntaw Mindanao meets the press, hopes to build bridge of peace
KUCHING: Coming from a region that has seen its fair share of bloodshed caused by armed conflicts, the Filipino ensemble at this year's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Kuntaw Mindanao, hopes their music can bridge people together for a dialogue.
As winners of the Freedom to Create Prize at the Sharq Taronalari Festival in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2015 for their role in promoting peace and harmony, the band's artistic director, Neil Cervantes, said he knew some people who tried to heal the pain of war through music.
The band's music is a fusion of traditional Mindanao instruments like the kulintang and gongs with the acoustic guitar, modern drums and bass.
Despite all their efforts, the members admitted that music alone could not bring peace long and lasting peace.
But Cervantes, in a special interview today, said music could be a bridge for dialogue.
The group originates from Tagum City, Davao del Norte in Mindanao, and it was established under the Kreativ Union of Today's Artists and Writers (Kuntaw) framework.
One of their original hits is Una, which aligned with the band's activist orientation.
Una means "first" in Tagalog and the song centres on themes of social transformation, freedom, justice and peace, which were described as "common threads in their repertoire".
Una is also part of their original works that blended indigenous Mindanaoan musical traditions with modern influences.
Kuntaw Mindanao will take to the stage at 9.50pm tomorrow (Saturday) and they are the second-last performers before Earth, Wind and Fire Experience by Al McKay.
The 28th edition of the annual three-day music festival, which starts today at the Sarawak Cultural Village at the foot of Mount Santubong, some 21km from here, will feature 200 performers from 20 groups and from 20 countries, including Malaysia.
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New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Kuntaw Mindanao meets the press, hopes to build bridge of peace
KUCHING: Coming from a region that has seen its fair share of bloodshed caused by armed conflicts, the Filipino ensemble at this year's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Kuntaw Mindanao, hopes their music can bridge people together for a dialogue. As winners of the Freedom to Create Prize at the Sharq Taronalari Festival in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2015 for their role in promoting peace and harmony, the band's artistic director, Neil Cervantes, said he knew some people who tried to heal the pain of war through music. The band's music is a fusion of traditional Mindanao instruments like the kulintang and gongs with the acoustic guitar, modern drums and bass. Despite all their efforts, the members admitted that music alone could not bring peace long and lasting peace. But Cervantes, in a special interview today, said music could be a bridge for dialogue. The group originates from Tagum City, Davao del Norte in Mindanao, and it was established under the Kreativ Union of Today's Artists and Writers (Kuntaw) framework. One of their original hits is Una, which aligned with the band's activist orientation. Una means "first" in Tagalog and the song centres on themes of social transformation, freedom, justice and peace, which were described as "common threads in their repertoire". Una is also part of their original works that blended indigenous Mindanaoan musical traditions with modern influences. Kuntaw Mindanao will take to the stage at 9.50pm tomorrow (Saturday) and they are the second-last performers before Earth, Wind and Fire Experience by Al McKay. The 28th edition of the annual three-day music festival, which starts today at the Sarawak Cultural Village at the foot of Mount Santubong, some 21km from here, will feature 200 performers from 20 groups and from 20 countries, including Malaysia.
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Borneo Post
AmBank marks 50th anniversary by sponsoring RWMF for first time
Shazman says the RWMF sponsorship reflects AmBank's long-standing relationship with Sarawak. SANTUBONG (June 20): AmBank Group is marking its golden jubilee by becoming the official bank for the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025. The bank group's corporate communications and marketing head Shazman Shahid said the bank was proud to be supporting one of Sarawak's most prominent cultural events. 'AmBank is the official bank for this festival this year. We are thankful to the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the Sarawak government as well. 'This is our first time sponsoring an event of this nature, especially in Sarawak. It's a meaningful milestone for us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our golden jubilee,' he said in an interview with The Borneo Post today. According to Shazman, the sponsorship reflects AmBank's commitment to the people, particularly in Sarawak. 'As a bank for the people, and with our tagline 'Your Bank, Malaysia's Bank, AmBank', we are always there for the community, especially the people of Sarawak. 'This initiative also aligns with the bank's long-standing relationship with the state. 'For decades, we have been supporting the people, and the Sarawak government, by extending our financial services and facilities.' On AmBank's presence at this year's RWMF, Shazman said the bank had already set up a booth at the venue, Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), to provide visitors with an 'immersive AmBank experience'. 'Throughout the three days, the visitors will be able to look forward to exclusive engagements, promotions and activities to bring our brand closer to the people. 'Among these, we'll be powering onsite with our payment solutions and also offering generous discounts to our credit card customers. 'So wherever they are within the nation, they will be able to use our credit card to come over and to spend during the festival,' he said. Shazman also highlighted the alignment between AmBank's community focus and the 2025 RWMF theme, 'Connections: One Earth, One Love'. 'Our real focus is on connection. 'We want to connect with the local community, with visitors across the globe, and with many talented artists who are converging on Santubong.' On the festival's progress over the years, Shazman said AmBank had been observing the development closely before coming on board as a sponsor. 'Of course, before we started our journey to sponsor, we had studied throughout the year. 'It (RWMF) has evolved, and more and more visitors are coming over to Santubong to celebrate the festival for three days. 'The evolution of the RWMF is just amazing, seeing it grow year by year. 'Hopefully for next year, we would be able to work together with the festival organisers as well.' The RWMF, now in its 28th edition, continues to draw thousands of music lovers from around the globe to Sarawak for three days of cultural and musical exchanges. AmBank Kuching official bank rwmf
Borneo Post
15 hours ago
- Borneo Post
RWMF 2025: Philippines' Kuntaw Mindanao to showcase power of Southeast Asian indigenous music (Video)
Cervantes (centre) is seen in a group photo with other Kuntaw Mindanao members. – Photo by Roystein Emmor SANTUBONG (June 20): The Philippines' ethno-rock group Kuntaw Mindanao hopes to use the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 stage to convey a powerful message of the richness and relevance of Southeast Asian indigenous music. Artistic director Neil Cervantes said the group's core message this year centres on the vibrancy of indigenous music and its potential to inspire change. 'For us, we want to send the message that Asian music, particularly here in Southeast Asia, and to be specific, also in the Philippines, Mindanao, we have these rich musical traditions,' he said during an interview at here today. He noted that mainstream music in the region often follows Western formulas, leaving indigenous traditions sidelined. 'That's why our thrust would be to emphasise that we have these indigenous musical traditions that are very rich and colourful; and they're alive and evolving,' he said. Kuntaw Mindanao fuses the indigenous musical instruments and melodies of Mindanao with modern rock and contemporary elements, blending tradition with innovation. 'It's not about just a preservation of culture, but it's more of how this culture develops into a force that can change people, can change communities,' Cervantes said. On the role of international performances, Cervantes said events such as RWMF influence their approach and sound. 'It gives us more ideas and it develops our sound that encompasses nations or our culture … rooted but at the same time relatable to everyone,' he explained. 'We also performed at an international festival in 2015, Sharq Taronalari in Uzbekistan. It really improves our musicality when you're exposed to other cultures, other music. It really changed the way we sound, but we remain rooted with our traditions.' The group also shared the story behind their track 'Una', which means 'first' in Tagalog. Cervantes said the song pays tribute to the indigenous peoples of Mindanao. He explained that in Mindanao, indigenous communities often develop an inferiority complex. 'In musical terms, for example, when people see the kulintang, they often don't understand it. They think it's something inferior, especially when compared to dominant modern or Western music,' he said. 'We want to emphasise that it's not inferior. If you really study kulintang music, it's very rich in musical traditions. And it's Asian, right? It has shared musical culture with other Southeast Asian nations like the gamelan.' Cervantes also believes music can act as a bridge to bring people closer. 'Though music alone cannot build peace or achieve a long and lasting peace, it can be a bridge, a tool. People will tone down and open themselves for dialogue. 'Just playing music, it really comforts the distorts and distorts the comfort,' he added. Kuntaw Mindanao is set to perform on the RWMF main stage tomorrow at 9.50pm. Formed in Tagum City, Philippines, Kuntaw Mindanao is known for blending indigenous instrumentation with contemporary genres to promote cultural identity and resistance. Their music carries themes of indigenous pride and the struggle to protect ancestral lands. 27th Rainforest World Music Festival indigenous music Kuntaw Mindanao lead
