Traditional Korean music filled the air on Aug. 3 at the Baguio Museum.
There was a fusion of Korean and Cordillera music with dances that left the audience mesmerized. The unique event staged at the museum was the second, the first was at the University of the Cordilleras in 2018 sponsored by the Pines International Academy headed by Inbon Kim.
Invited maestros in their fields were Kim Won Sun, who played the piri (flute), Lee Donghoon (haegeum, a string instrument), Hwang Seunju (ajng, string instrument), Kang Jonghwa (daegeum, a wind instrument played on the left side) and Cho Yongwan (hourglass shaped drum) and Lee Joung Young, a medical doctor from the Jesus Hospital.
The guests came from the Jeonbuk National University and Gugak National Center. Their repertoire included daegeumsanjo, hanobaeknyeon medley, haegeumsanjo, minyo medley, and ensemble sinawi.
They were joined by the Bebsat cultural performing group who did the tuppaya, sakpaya, chaligcong and the eagle dance.
JumarManzano did the Cordillera hymn and the colors of the wind (kulising). At the end there was a fusion of Korean and Cordillera instruments, a taste of cross cultural exchange promoting global understanding through music and dance.
It was a day to remember.
Guests came from Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguetand as far as Laguna, Dubai and El Salvador who expressed interest in bringing their music to Baguio too.
Prof. Kim Wonsun of Jeonbuk National University assisted by the head of the Pines Academy in Baguio Inbon Kim presented the “surprise gifts (the hourglass drum and flute) to the Baguio Museum received by President Peter Ng.
The Bebsat dance group gave an enthralling performance. By and large, the performances of both the Koreans and the Cordillerans riveted the audience to a spellbinding experience.
The harmony of cultures brings us to wishing there were more activities like these showcasing differences and similarities of cultures.
Manzano’s rendition of the Cordillera hymn was truly heart-warming. The fusion festival truly brought deeper appreciation and understanding for our cultures.
Congratulations to the organizers headed by Inbon Kim and his team Zenaida Capuyan, Carlo Nazarro, Rona Dale Ortiz, Sean Dave Ollero, and Katren Picar.
The Baguio Museum hopes the Korean Festival will be one of its institutionalized activities.
Kamsahamnida!
Thank you, Pines International Academy. (Photos by Chino Chow, Vince Dangiapo and Rona Ortiz)
– Stella Maria L. de Guia
