The singer brings on vibrant musical energy at the Music Museum with her chosen tribe of musicians and artists
The Katutubong Diva will finally have her major concert this year. Billed as “Bagong Umaga,” it will be staged on October 26, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum.
But contrary to an early report, Bayang Barrios’ forthcoming concert won’t be a repeat of her “Katutubong Diva” show held last year at the Cultural Center of the Philippines—that was directed by the late multi-awarded playwright and director Floy Quintos who also gave the singer her moniker.
“I’m nervous but proud,” she told the BusinessMirror, in a refreshingly candidly manner. “It’s the first time that a ‘lumad’ will be performing at the Music Museum. It will be a celebration for sure, of the years I’ve been in the industry. So, expect the concert to be a mix of songs to reminisce on, to feel good, and to dance to.”
As the month of October is National Indigenous Peoples Month, Barrios is also encouraging people to show up in their tribal best.
Further boosting infectious tribal vibe is her long-time band, Naliyagan (or ‘chosen ones” in “lumad”) consisting of Andrew Barrios as musical director; Yan Cruz, bass; Jape Bongat, kulintang keyboards, Matt Bravante, drums; Budeths Casinto, darbuka and small percussions.
For the concert, Abby Clutario is also its musical director and guest musician. Besides being a vocalist and composer, Clutario is a well-known Chapman Stick player.
And imagine the musical energy in Barrios’ concert with guest artists Bituin Escalante, Dong Abay, and Poppert Bernadas. Joining them are the Biñan Metropolitan Chorus and the Biñan Folkloric Dance Troupe. The show is directed by BJ Borja and produced by B-Creative Multimedia Production.
Meant to be
“I believe it’s destiny. This show and the venue are really meant for me,” Barrios said.
After her successful “Katutubong Diva” concert, which was a celebration of her 35th anniversary in the music industry, Quintos was already planning for her second concert supposedly to be mounted and directed by him this year. But, he passed on last April.
“I didn’t think of it after that,” Barrios admitted. “I was just saddened by his loss.”
But as destiny would have it, Borja (who also worked regularly with Quintos) learned about Barrios’ planned concert and helped make it possible. Borja is a theater artist, educator, and a top tourism officer in Biñan. Barrios said that she and Borja are aligned with their advocacy in promoting local arts and culture. And with Borja’s expertise, expect an evening of movement and visual delights as well.
Proficient career
Barrios is an accomplished artist who has received awards for her vocal talent, expressive renditions, and her relentless effort in promoting indigenous culture through her style and use of native musical instruments. Among her popular songs are “Malayo Man, Malapit Din,” “Bagong Umaga,” and the “Encantadia” theme song. She is also the third member of the Tres Marias singing group consisting of music icons Lolita Carbon and Cooky Chua.
Last September, Barrios received the Fr. Theodore Daiglre Awards for Mindanao Culture and Assrts. The accolade was given to her during the Ateneo de Davao University-Special Convocation for The University Traditional Awards in Davao.
“Of all the awards I’ve received, I feel it is the one closest to my heart because it’s a validation of all the work I’ve been doing in helping spread awareness about the rich culture and concerns of our indigenous people,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of heartbreaks trying to make it in the industry and this award is a validation of my passion, too.”
Born and raised in Mindanao, Barrios is a member of the Manobo tribe who first caught the public’s attention in the early 1990s as a member of Joey Ayala’s Bagong Lumad, She was in her 20s then, a fresh college grad, who left her hometown in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur to join Ayala in Manila to spread a new sound, which synergized ethnic beats with pop music and lyrics with socially relevant themes.
Barrios embarked on her solo career in 1996 via the album, “Bayang Makulay.”
Music and purpose
While this year has been a season of veteran OPM artists holding their farewell and reunion concerts, Barrios is just about to start a new era in her career, She has an album waiting to be launched within the year (meanwhile, songs are dropping one at a time on YouTube and Spotify).
The album, titled “Panukad” (“starting point”) consists of songs penned by her and likewise with her husband and co-collaborator Mike Villegas.
As the wave of P-Pop and K-Pop remains strong and current, Barrios stays afloat by sticking calmly to her brand of music. “My goal now is to continue encouraging the young generation to go back and appreciate our roots, our indigenous culture. There’s nothing wrong with appreciating these trending music but it’s also good to have the music that I carry as a reminder of our past, our story, it’s music that we can truly claim for ourselves.”
Based in Quezon City and shuttling back to Bunawan when she can, Barrios said she’s delighted to meet young musicians from Mindanao who are creating songs in their dialect and using ethnic instruments in their compositions.
She said, these young artists often ask her for advice on how to make it in Manila. Barrios lets out a laugh and said, “I tell them, I’m the one in the wrong place now. And they’re the ones in the right place! Stay where they are because the material is there.
“It’s the digital age and it’s easier to compose songs and have them heard in various platforms. Not like during my time when you needed to be in Manila to be noticed by record producers to get a deal, and to have a wider audience. It’s different now and I look forward to the future.”
Tickets for “Bagong Umaga” are available at https://ticket2me.net/event/21909.
