Lumads train on song writing, video prods

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Close to 30 lumads from south and central Mindanao joined a three-week training on song composition and video production that started in February 2 at the DXND mini-auditorium.

Father Ed Vasquez, OMI., executive director of I-Watch Productions, said the training is part two of three of a series of seminars, which aim to empower the lumad society in Southern Philippines through indigenous music, audio-visual productions, and social media formations.

This month’s training, Vasquez said, is focused on song composition and production of videos of indigenous music.

The contents of the songs the participants are set to produce for 20 days would be based on several issues affecting the lumads, including the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the Philippine elections.

Vasquez said at the end of the training, they would be uploading on the I-Watch's website the music videos produced by the participants.

"Based on a survey, 70 percent of the YouTube viewers, mostly the youth, watch music videos. If we upload videos of indigenous music that would mean we would be getting a share of the YouTube viewers. By doing that, we would be making lumad music known, not only in the Philippines but in the whole world," Vasquez said.

The second phase of the training was set up just in time for the National Arts Month celebrations, the priest said.

The project is funded by the United States Embassy in Manila and some of Vasquez’s supporters and friends from the US.

Participants are Tedurays from North and South Upi, Maguindanao; Tibolis in South Cotabato; Dulangan-Manuvu and Aromanon-Manuvu from North Cotabato; and Tagakaolo from Davao provinces.

The third and final phase of the training, according to Vasquez, is a concert on April 25, just in time for the 7th anniversary of the I-Watch and blessing of its new recording studio, here.