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PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:15 am
by chris hansen
Does anyone know anything about Filipino drumming?

In my old kali class (filipino marital art) the instructor was explaining how in a traditional class there would be drummers. The people would practice their drills and exercises speeding up and slowing down to follow the rhythm of the drum.

I think it sounds cool but haven't had much luck finding any info and my teacher didn't really know any more than he told us.

Any info would be great

Thanks.

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:47 am
by 109-1176549166
Hi Chris,

I'm Filipino-American. Frankly, I know nothing about Kali and Filipino drumming. But, out of curiousity, I tried Googling it and got several very interesting results.

I suggest going to Google and using the key words "filipino", "drum" and "kali". One of the best results I got is entitled "Martial Arts and Drumming" and here's the link: http://www.drumdojo.com/useful/martial_arts.htm

Also, I got the below definition of a Kali drum from this link: http://64.233.167.104/search?....9&gl=us

"Kali Drum, a large instrument made of a recycled garbage can and cowhide that is played using arnis strikes."

Best of luck, :D

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:08 pm
by CongaTick

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:18 pm
by 109-1176549166
CongaTick,

Very interesting! I've learned something new again, especially about my heritage.

Thanks for sharing! I appreciate it!

You just gave me a new idea. I might just incorporate this Filipino drum into my percussion setup. :D




Edited By mjtuazon on 1186604447

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:40 pm
by CongaTick
Manny,

Gong perc instrument Kulintangan, played by an Indonesian group. Perhaps a differet perspective on your cultural roots. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzmh6Tv8Lg

PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:49 pm
by 109-1176549166
CongaTick,

Much thanks again!




Edited By mjtuazon on 1186609762

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:41 am
by JohnnyConga
I can tell you about my good friend from Manila, "Boying Geronimo" who was not only a "Cha cha cha" Champion but a GREAT conga player who i met in Canada back in 1977....he started a band called "Rumba Calzada" ( chek his site out thru google)who his son now directs. Boying passed after a 'comeback" show, in Manila, in the late 90's.....the other popular band from the 70's out of the Fillipines was "DAKILA" a "Latin Rock" band that sang in English and Tagalog, I have one album by them from 1975.....Did u ever hear of these artist's,MjTuazon?......"JC" Johnny Conga..... :D

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:34 am
by Tonio
wow, the large drum reminds me of the Taiko !!
T

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:44 am
by 109-1176549166
JC,

What a pleasant surprise!

I often saw Boying Geronimo on Philippine TV, but I don't recall ever meeting the guy in Manila (Philippines). He was one of the regular dancers in the dance show, "Dancetime With Chito", every Sunday evening during the late 60s up to early 70s. Chito's last name is Feliciano. Chito was not only an excellent dancer (even better than Boying, IMO), a pilot and sportsman. He represented the Philippines in the Summer Olympics as a shooter. Chito tragically died in a helicopter crash in his prime.

Chito's dance show featured mostly various Latin dances, such as the Cha-Cha-Cha, Mambo, Charanga, Pachanga, etc. As such, it catered mostly to the 30 something and over audience. Watching this program was one of my earliest exposures to the music of Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Willy Bobo, etc.

Yup, Boying was a great dancer, too. He was very graceful and fluid, as all the dancers of Chito were. And, yup, I used to see him play the conga along with a small Latin band that occasionally played in "Dancetime with Chito". I don't know what the name of that band was.

I couldn't remember how good Boying was with congas 'cause I didn't pay too much attention to his playing. I wasn't that much really interested in them at that time. I was much more interested interested in playing the guitar which I played in a few bands. But, I do remember that he was solid on the congas.

Boying also often guested at another Sunday TV program at the same TV station, entitled "Penthouse 7". This program catered more to the 20 something audience and was more of a variety show with not only dancing but also singing. One of the female dancers there, a Filipino "mestiza", even became my girlfriend.

I didn't know that Boying had passed away. That's sad. He's still relatively young. I'll definitely Google "Rumba Calzada" to refresh my memory of him.

A couple who used to be part of "Dancetime with Chito" and Boying's good friends live in the Bay Area. They're Louie and Susan Payawal. Louie and I went to the same college in the Philippines, but he's several years ahead of me. I see them once or twice a year them at our alumni annual picnic and Christmas party in which I usually either DJ or play with my dance band.

I vaguely remember the band, "Dakila", but I have no recollection of their music. BTW, if you don't know it yet, "dakila" is a Tagalog (the main Philippine dialect) word meaning "noble".

Hey, thanks for sharing, man!




Edited By mjtuazon on 1186638260

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:09 am
by Whopbamboom
Tonio wrote:wow, the large drum reminds me of the Taiko !!
T

I was just going to say the same thing. It looks a lot like a single-headed Japanese taiko. The stand is even about the same.

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:20 pm
by 109-1176549166
JC,

Just checked out Rumba Calzada's website! I like their music. In fact, I've bookmarked their website. I didn't know that Boying was that good! Now it's his son.




Edited By mjtuazon on 1186687296