Kawayan Folk Arts

Mission Statement

Our mission is to "promote, research, and explore folk and contemporary performing arts based on the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines."

About Kawayan Folk Arts

Kawayan Folk Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit public benefit corporation within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The specific objectives and purposes of Kawayan Folk Arts are to:

to provide instruction in ethnic and contemporary dance forms inspired from the cultures of the Philippines;
to provide instruction in music and musical instruments from the Philippines;
to give public performances in musical concerts, dance forms, and creative dramatics;
to sponsor special events involving the public performance of any or all of the above art forms as well as other performing arts by the corporation's performing troupe as well as by other community performing arts groups; and
to directly engage in and to provide support for others to engage in the promotion of the arts, generally.

Creation Story

In the beginning, Maguayen, the goddess of the sea realm Linaw, and Kaptán, the god of the sky realm Langít, were great rivals. For a long time, Kaptán hailed lightening and rain upon Maguayan, and she would respond with tornadoes and hurricanes. Huge boulders and stones were hurled from the sky and remained in the water. It was of these great pieces of rock that the islands in the Archipelago, the Philippines were formed.

The god of air, Manual, as witness to this contest, flew between sea and sky to calm them. Manual the bird served as intermediary for the two gods. Finally, Maguayan and Kaptán were joined where the sea meets the sky and became lovers. Their love planted a seed in the ocean and it grew into a bamboo reed.

Manual, flying overhead, saw this bamboo coming from the sea. It was tall and graceful, sturdy and wonderful. Manual perched on the tree, weary of traveling. Resting, Manual could hear strange noises. There was knocking and voices saying, "Set us free". At first in whispers, then in clarity, "set us free!" Manual thought this was very strange and curious. Manual pecked at the tree.

The bamboo cracked and split and at the same time from the hollow center came out Sicalác and Sicabáy. Sicalác the Male was strong and named Malakas. Sicabáy the female was beautiful and named Maganda. These were the first people on earth.

The children of Malákas and Magandá populated the islands. They were all bourne from Malákas and Magandá the same, but on the islands they were seperated by earth and water. They went to live in the mountainous jungles of northern Luzon, they sailed and settled through the Visayan islands, they rooted on the large island of Mindanao. The children of Malákas and Magandá, now numerous, met visitors from other shores and grew apart isolated by earth and water.

Damiana L. Euegnio (Ed.) 1993. The Myths.
Philippine Folk Literature Series. Vol. II. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the Philippine Press.

The Sarimanok of indigenous Philippine mythology is an enchanted "chicken" or bird as a symbol of power, prestige, and honor. It is usually perched upon a bamboo pole, depicted in the embellished okkir art form for festive occasions.

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