On the morning of June 10, 2007, it occurred to me that the teenagers from the Tala-Andig tribe might not realize that we hoped they would teach us about their culture. I walked over to the high school, where a group of young girls were gathered. When I explained, they enjoyed assuming the role of teacher. “Quiet,” they told me, sternly stifling their own giggles. “Sit up straight! Chin up!” After I smartly executed all their instructions, one observed, “You look like Mr. Bean,” at which they all laughed raucously.
Just a couple days earlier, we had arrived in the remote mountain village of Miarayon, high above the clouds. During the last week of our second project in the Philippines, we worked with the Cartwheel Foundation to encourage indigenous youth to be proud of their culture. Together, we composed music celebrating their rich heritage, and they taught us about their traditional stories, farming techniques, architecture, and dances.
Over the time that we spent with the Tala-Andig, each of the CiH musicians developed a close bond with our pod, or small group of students. On our last day in Miarayon, Glaiza, Liza, Junabe, Juhara, Winston, and Rose Ann all sang a friendship song in Binukid for me. Saying goodbye after the final concert in Cagayan de Oro City was even more difficult.
The children lined up to give us cards they had made, and many of them were crying. We did a pretty good job maintaining the stiff upper lip expected of adults, but my eyes welled up when Glaiza gave me a card that read, “I cannot give you expensive things, but this is just simple remember.” I don’t need expensive things. No honor or opportunity in the world could compare to the privilege of receiving that card.
I next saw my pod in 2009, when CiH participated in a gala concert celebrating Cartwheel's tenth anniversary. For the first time in their lives, the Tala-Andig youth boarded a plane and flew to Manila. Winston was taller and more mature; I spoke to him about his career goals. Junabe was more confident. Rose Ann was about to become a nun.
We easily revived our piece, improving our creation of two years earlier. The final concert was an extraordinary experience, with indigenous groups from throughout the Philippines joining forces with Filipino western classical musicians, Cartwheel scholars, and the CiH musicians to sing Joey Ayala's ecstatic, euphoric song of unity: "Magkaugnay."
Just like 2007, the Tala-Andig gave us cards at the end. Winston wrote: "I thank you for concerning my goal in life." Rose Ann told me: "Thank you for the smile, care, love, kindness, and everything. I will always remember you sir because you and your companion is the one who help me to develop our culture."
Tala-Andig culture is already highly developed, so I think she means that our interest and friendship encouraged her to be proud of our culture. At a time when the prevailing stereotype about Americans is that we know little and care less about the outside world, Cultures in Harmony needs to do more projects that produce reactions like this.
Donate now to help Cultures in Harmony change America's relationship with the world. Click here to read more about our residency with the Tala-Andig tribe. CiH conducted projects in the Philippines in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
