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
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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
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