There is no doubt Filipinos are among the most artistically gifted, nationalistic, and cultural people in the world. Unfortunately, artists getting a big break in the country and on the global stage has been difficult, to say the least. As a way to help talents get their much-deserved platform, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently launched Kanto Kultura.
With Kanto Kultura, Filipino up-and-coming artists are encouraged to produce creative content and artistic expression. It also aims to provide an inclusive avenue for different forms of artistic expression such as music, broadcast, film, literature, theater, dance, and visual arts. Finally, it hopes to discover talents from the grassroots, know more about their craft, and then provide them with training, connections, and platforms.
Headed by CCP Board of Trustees — singer and founder of the Musikgarten music school Nikki Junia, drummer Stanley Seludo — and supported by former Central Bank governor and culture administrator Dr. Jaime Laya, the concept is based on building more creativity, participation, and appreciation in the arts and culture sector, most especially in today’s digital world.
“Malaking bagay talaga yung aking musical experience and training. Ramdam ko at naranasan ko firsthand yung plight ng mga artists,” Junia shared.
Junia started her career as a child singer under Ryan Cayabyab’s 14K music scholars, then continued her music education at the University of Santo Tomas, and trained under Seth Riggs whose students included Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand.
“Since Mr. Seludo and I are both artists by profession — and with the unwavering support of Dr. Jaime Laya who shares our sentiments — significant inputs were given in this project. Artists and artists at heart like ourselves know the plight of talents that are yet undiscovered and are waiting for an opportunity to be considered,” Junia continued.
The heavy reliance on the digital world also inspired the team to come up with a concept to bring hope and opportunities to the artists, “Now is the time to bring out your creative talents and to maximize these online channels, and CCP will be that avenue who will help you bring out your talent to the global stage.”
Kanto Canta
The project starts with Kanto Canta, a musical competition to discover the Pinoy sound, and showcases original compositions that incorporates traditional musical instruments. This is the first known contest to require songs written solely in a native Philippine language and the use of indigenous Filipino instruments. With the cancellation of live performances, the project provides opportunities to amateur talents, unsigned artists, and the like.
To reach the distinct Pinoy sound, groups are encouraged to fuse traditional and modern sounds and genres rather than solely getting inspired by the music of other countries.
The Kanto Kultura team looked at the current K-Pop phenomenon, where government offices in South Korea discover grassroots talents, and are very supportive of their artists in regard to training to help them reach the global stage. With this, the CCP aims to pioneer similar work with Filipino artists.
Kanto Canta is open to all full-blooded Filipinos, who are solo acts or part of a group with a maximum of seven members with live instrumentation. The online band competition is open to those with no existing professional and commercial entertainment contracts.
Another main part of this contest is the performance video, since acts should have their own YouTube channel where they will upload their entries. Shooting the video should be done at any kanto and in areas of their province. The recording may also be done on any device, whether on a mobile phone or in a studio as long as there are not any distractions.
The top 15 finalists will receive prizes worth P150,000, and have the chance to collaborate with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and have a performance at the CCP. To be done quarterly, the competition is accepting entries until March 20. For details, visit Kanto Kultura’s Facebook page.