Aswangs are mythical creatures of Philippine lore. Hear the stories of how they came to be.
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Award-wining film chronicles Florante's search for the last surviving practitioners of harana.
MoreIntroducing one of the characters in our upcoming concert and film ASWANG - Mga Kwentong Halimaw. Tikbalang, to be portrayed by tenor Leon Palad on Oct 15.
Hear Ang Tikbalang from the Aswang Soundtrack:
soundcloud.com/florantea/3-ang-tikbalang-081317
Concert details at:
gmc.sonoma.edu/event/3631486-aswang-the-concert-mga-kuwentong-halimaw
Who or What is a TIKBALANG? Performed by Leon Palad Hear Leon perform Ang Tikbalang from the Aswang Soundtrack: soundcloud.com/florantea/3-ang-tikbalang-081317 Background In Philippine lore, tikbalang are humanoid forest creatures known for having the head of a horse and disproportionally long legs, with sharp spikes in its mane, red glowing eyes, and often portrayed smoking a cigar. They are known to lead travelers astray by playing tricks on them. It is said that some end up losing their minds after an encounter with a tikbalang. In other parts of the country, they are known as “benevolent guardians of the elemental kingdoms”. In the production ASWANG, Mga Kwentong Halimaw, Tikbalang is an ancient. He is strong, mighty and fierce, with a wicked sense of humor. He has been in existence since before the lands and the forests were formed by the gods Magbabaya, Kanlanon, Bathala and Kabunyan. He nurtured the first trees and the first creatures, maintaining harmony between humans and nature. Tikbalang is the guardian of the deep forests throughout the archipelago as well as the realm of the spirits. But over the course of time, after centuries of humanity’s continuing wars and destruction, he doubts the innate goodness and compassion of people. He would rather keep people out of the forests entirely for he believes humans only do great harm to nature for they have no respect for the sacred. Any human who loses their way in Tikbalang’s realm is forced to look within themselves and face the darkness in their soul. Only those willing to wrangle with their inner demons are able to come out of Tikbalang’s labyrinth, a more enlightened being. About Leon Palad, Tenor Leon Palad attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under scholarship. He has performed with the San Francisco Lyric Opera appearing in the company’s productions of Il Trovatore, Tosca, Werther, and La Traviata. He has also appeared in productions of Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Rigoletto and Barber of Seville with the Bear Valley Opera and in Redwood Symphony’s production of Porgy & Bess. He was a featured soloist in Bravo! Showcase recitals in Northern California, Texas and Oregon. Mr. Palad performed in the centennial celebration of New York’s Carnegie Hall, and several times as the tenor soloist in the Sing-it-Yourself Messiah at Davies Symphony Hall. His awards include the SF Conservatory Scholarship, Frances Ullman Award, 1st Place in the 1995 “NATS” (National Association of teachers of Singing) vocal competition, and the SF Concerto Vocal Award. Mr. Palad is currently the choir director at St. Thomas More Catholic Church and Church of the Epiphany. He released a cd recording of songs from the golden era called “Essential Tango”.
Check this out! Alleluia Panis DanceTheater' dance film She Who Can See co-directed by Wilfred Galila. With music score by yours truly. Had a lot of fun working on this.
Read more about it on shewhocansee.wordpress.com
She, Who Can See - Film Trailer
She, Who Can See tells the haunting story of Salima and Nico. When the powerful waves of Salima’s shamanic inheritance surge into the daily realities of thei...
Who says no one writes new harana songs anymore? Discover Isagani and Candida's story in Aswang the Concert, a free concert on Oct 15, Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, at Sonoma State University. "Harana ni Isagani", featuring Kyle de Ocera and Kristine Sinajon.
soundcloud.com/florantea/7-harana-ni-isagani-091417
Concert details at:
floranteaguilar.com/event/aswangconcert/
AND
gmc.sonoma.edu/event/3631486-aswang-the-concert-mga-kuwentong-halimaw
With Ka El
FREE CONCERT! Oct 15 at Schroeder Hall in the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. Given the free nature of this concert, there will be no ticket reservations. So please arrive 45 minutes early to get your parking, sign in and get good seats. Seating is limited to the first 200 guests.
More details at:
gmc.sonoma.edu/event/3631486-aswang-the-concert-mga-kuwentong-halimaw
Donations to the Center for Babaylan Studies will be accepted. Dress as your favorite aswang, bring your generous spirit.
A couple of takes during Leon Palad's rehearsal and recording session as the Tikbalang.
Tikbalang is ancient. He is the guardian of the deep forest and all living creatures, both in the physical realm as well as other dimensions. A trickster who leads people astray and forces an individual to look within and face inner demons in order to make his/her way out of his labyrinth. He is strong, mighty, fierce, with a wicked sense of humor.
Watch Leon perform the role of Tikbalang on Oct 15 at Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University.
Aswang the Concert
floranteaguilar.com/event/aswangtheconcert/
A couple of takes during Leon Palad's rehearsal and recording session as the Tikbalang. Tikbalang is ancient. He is the guardian of the deep forest and all living creatures, both in the physical realm as well as other dimensions. A trickster who leads people astray and forces an individual to look within and face inner demons in order to make his/her way out of his labyrinth. He is strong, mighty, fierce, with a wicked sense of humor. Watch Leon perform the role of Tikbalang on Oct 15 at Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University.
