Award-winning musician, cultural worker, and author Grace Nono will be at the Far Eastern University (FEU) on Aug. 7 for the launching of her new book “Song of the Babaylan: Living Voices, Medicines, Spiritualities of Philippine Ritualist-Oralist-Healers.”

 

Detailing the lives and practices of over 10 contemporary Philippine ritualists, healers, and oralists from Tuguegarao, Kalinga, Benguet, Batangas, Palawan, Cebu, Camiguin, Agusan, Maguindanao  and South Cotabato, “Song of the Babaylan” is based on over seven years of research and on-site engagements with living babaylan in Philippine hinterlands, towns, and urban centers.

 

The book discusses ritual ethnographies, babaylan stories and conversations, and oral chant recordings in great detail. Information from disciplines such as indigenous studies, ethnomusicology, religious studies, medical anthropology, and gender studies are also touched on by Nono.

 

“Song of the Babaylan” comes out at a time when younger generations of Filipinos are looking for spiritual roots and are exploring more holistic and compassionate ways of approaching cultural difference and development. It advocates dialogue among faiths, genders, ethnicities and systems of knowledge.

 

Nono received her undergraduate degree in the Humanities and master’s in Philippine Studies from the University of the Philippines. She is a doctoral candidate in the Ethnomusicology program of the New York University’s Department of Music.

 

She has won over 40 awards, including The Outstanding Women Award in the Nation’s Service (Towns) Award, National Book Award, and Catholic Mass Media.

 

Nono’s speaking engagement is part of her school book tour and will take place at the FEU University Conference Center at 10 AM. The event is part of FEU’s cultural season for SY 2013-2014 and continues the Jess Cruz Memorial Lecture Series started by the Department of Literature.

 

Call FEU President’s Committee on Culture at 7364897.