Gongs and bamboo musical instruments “are a celebration and renewal of our heritage as Asians and have been in existence for thousands of years,” according to composer and National Artist-designate Ramon P. Santos.
Bamboo. It’s been around us all our lives. It’s something we have so much of that we don’t even think about it anymore.
If you miss Bamboo—the band, not their lead vocalist—then this piece of news might excite you: ex-Bamboo members Nathan Azarcon, Vic Mercado, and Ira Cruz are back together. Joining the three are Radioactive Sago Project’s Junji Lerma on guitars, and Jay Orduña on keyboard.
I’ve seen those bamboo arches at fiestas but it was only recently that I learned what they’re called—singkaban. It’s an art form using bamboo as medium, some parts shaved so the curly fibers form part of the décor, and some cut into pieces and put together to form figures such as flowers. The artist is [...]
