Contact: University of the Philippines-Office of the Vice
Chancellor for Research and Development Institution: University
of the Philippines Diliman This study explores how the state
defines “indigenous people” and determines their position in the
Philippine society. Through cultural productions by indigenous
performing troupes, cultural difference is established which
also results to cultural brokerage. (Audio links are available).
Although Philippine music is an expression of a Southeast Asian
indigenous culture that has been superceded by Spanish and later
American elements, it has evolved into a unique cultural
expression. Today, one roughly delineates traditional, or
“indigenous” music from those with various degrees of Western
influences. But we ask on the other hand, how do indigenous
musical and cultural traditions contend with modernity and
persevere despite drastic changes in the lives of its bearers
and practitioners? A music professor at University of the
Philippines Diliman analyzes the productiv