‘Fertile soil’ as convergence of original Filipino music on struggle of farmers, indigenous folks
Research group IBON Foundation launched on October 22, 2016 the music album Punlaan. The music album was themed around IBON’s 2014 research work “Green Works” that probed the viability of organic farming in the Philippines. The book featured an array of active organic farmers’ groups successfully practicing non-chemical farming founded on the strengths and benefits of collective efforts. While it presented the health and economic advantages of sustainable, natural farming that others term ‘organic’, the book revealed that before the consumption of organic products can be campaigned to the Filipino public, the fundamental question of addressing organic producers’ poverty stemming from systemic landlessness and related socio-economic ills must be resolved.
The Punlaan project mainly aims to produce the “Green Works”-themed music album which features original Filipino compositions and indigenous sound. The project also aims to promote the spirit of “Green Works” to a wide audience mainly that of farmers’, indigenous people’s groups and their supporters to gain even wider support.
Gathering of support and material
To execute this first-of-its-kind project sponsored by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), IBON partnered with the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) and sought and won various forms of support from the League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (LAPIS), the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). IBON coordinated the project, CAP coordinator Marilyn Mirana managed, Metro Manila musician and womens group organizer Avon Ang directed the music, graphic artist Jennifer T. Padilla worked the project design. The project was carried out with two project assistants from CAP and full logistical support from IBON.
Various farmers, indigenous peoples and cultural workers’ groups from the regions were lined up and consulted wtih regards the theme of the project. By July and September there would be eleven groups pledging to participate in terms of contributing an original composition themed land to the tiller food for all the project regardless of resource limitations. These groups are Dap-ayan Ti Kultura Iti Kordilyera (DKK) from the uplands, Sining Kanlungan from Central Luzon, Unyon ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Kanlurang Mindoro (UMBKM) and Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kanlurang Mindoro (SAMAKAMI), Tubong Mindanaw (TUBAW) Music Collective, Sining Banwa of Bicol, Artista Ug Manunulat han Banwahanon (AMBON) of Panay, Teatro Obrero, Sining Lingkod sa Mindanao (SALAMIN), PASAKA and Kalinawagan Ensemble both of Southern Mindanao.
Production
Each group was provided a modest budget to record their original song in a recording studio for cd distribution quality. Prior to this, each group submitted their song demos to the project team. Following is the list of songs by each contributing group:
DKK – Pagay (Rice)
Sining Kanlungan – Neokolonyal
TUBAW – Misyonero ng Kanayunan
REDs PangKat Sining – On Potok ()
SAMAKAMI – Manggagawang Bukid
UMBKM – Ambahan
Sining Banwa – Saringsing Sa Oma (Sprouts in the Field)
AMBON – Mangunguma Ako (I Am A Farmer)
Teatro Obrero – Kabudlay ng Mangingisda (Fisherfolk’s Lament)
SALAMIN – Bakwit (Evacuees)
PASAKA – Magsasaka Ikaw Ang Punla
Kalinawagan Ensemble – Titulo
Bonus Track: DUMAGAT Sierra Madre – On Bado Kong Ledot (My Torn Dress)
The following is an excerpt from a promotional article describing the album:
“In various textures and featuring indigenous Filipino sound and music forged through the centuries, the songs depict the neocolonial nature of Philippine society and how it causes farmers’ miseries (Neo Kolonyal; Manggagawang Bukid; Ambahan; Mangunguma Ako), the plunder of agricultural resources by corporate projects posing as bringers of development leading to farmers’ and indigenous peoples’ displacement and rights violations (On Potok; Saringsing sa Oma; Kabudlay ng Mangingisda; Bakwit); how farmers’ and indigenous peoples’ communities painstakingly sow and reap the benefits of collective work, and continue to strengthen their ranks and unify with other sectors to achieve social justice (Misyonero ng Kanayunan; Pagay; Magsasaka Ikaw ang Punla; Titulo). The album’s bonus track On Bado Kong Ledot also speaks of a farmers’ family’s travails beginning with a child’s lament of having only one piece of torn garment to wear.”
Launch
The album launch brought together 250 artists, farmers, cultural workers, researchers, Lumad, Moro, legislative officials and representatives from media, government offices as well as organic advocates who earlier conducted a natural farming exchange at the DAR Gymnasium. The program featured the performances by the contributing artists, farmers, indigenous peoples groups of their original songs, highlighting their Punlaan contribution. The program also featured speeches from the organizers, sponsors and guests. A pre-launch concert was held an hour before the actual program to feature partner artist groups LAPIS and Talahib.
As for logistics, LAPIS provided documentation expertise while the IBON staff with the aid of CAP facilitated food, accommodation registration, stage design and accessories as well as security needs on the eve of, during and right after the major event.
The album launch was featured in printed and online magazines Philippines Graphic and Pinoy Weekly. Punlaan songs were also requested by the DAR to be used in the department’s promotional videos featuring former KMP leader and current Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano.
The Punlaan project is set to be featured in the websites of IBON and Green Action PH in full from the album content, audio, videos and photos. The songs will be downloadable for free. This is in order to unhamperedly promote the spirit of “Green Works” – that sustainable farming and distributive land reform that could raise the standard of production and living of Filipino farmers is possible and recommended. That a vibrant Philippine agriculture with ample government support can be the beginning and base of a dynamic local industry. This can provide the people’s basic and social needs and at the same time usher national development characterized by a population meaningfully employed as nation builders and catalysts of the industrial power that the Philippines can be.
Green Action PH 