The document discusses the transmission and conservation of the rondalla tradition in Dauin, Philippines, highlighting the role of public events, local government support, and community pride in preserving this musical heritage. It details the history and current state of various rondalla groups, including the Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla and Tugawe Dauin Rondalla, and their achievements in competitions. Recommendations for future support and institutionalization of rondalla activities aim to enhance the cultural identity and pride of the town.

1. Rolando V. Mascuñana and Enrique G. Oracion Department of Sociology and Anthropology Silliman University Dumaguete City Philippines Strings of Pride The Transmission and Conservation of Dauin's Rondalla Tradition

2. To document… how public events and competitions, local government and school support, and the town’s pride resulting from the awards and recognition received by its rondallas helped in the conservation of this musical tradition how the skills of playing and instrument-making were taught and learned by existing rondalla groups in Dauin, and subsequently transmitted to the young members of their respective families and the community OBJECTIVES OF THIS PAPER

3. PLACE OF STUDY: DAUIN known for its Coastal Resource Management Program (CRMP) it goes well beyond nature protection and preservation; it also influences the town’s cultural program as articulated in the themes of: Kinaiyahan Festival Municipal Hymn Dauin ko’ng Pinangga (My Beloved Dauin) Sayawit the rondalla plays important role in these cultural activities

4. Kinaiyahan Festival Municipal Hymn Sayawit

5. MAP OF DAUIN

6. Two adult rondalla groups SUBJECTS OF STUDY Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla Tugawe, Dauin Rondalla Two children rondalla groups School-based rondalla: Dauin National High School Community-based rondalla: Alama Children Rondalla

7. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS This study is guided by the idea that… the awards and recognition (as well as economic incentives) received by the rondalla’s successful performances have resulted in a shared pride ( garbo) pride becomes a major unifying emotional force for the transmission and conservation of a community’s rondalla tradition

8. The Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla: The beginning (1) organized by Dauinanon, Rodrigo Delfino, Sr. or Dodoy during the late 1930’s, named first as Ligaya String Circle he learned to read notes from his music teacher in Dauin Elementary School taught by Victor Baluga, a non-Dauinanon ambulant vendor, how to play banjo ADULT RONDALLA ACROSS SPACE AND TIME

9. Dodoy formed the Delfino Orchestra, together with his brothers (in Manila) there were changes in the membership of the rondalla before, during and after the WW II most members played by ear ( widu or oido ) served as entertainment during the war The Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla: The beginning (2)

10. The Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla: The transition Nong Felizardo Bais (blind at 5) joined Dodoy’s group in 1949, at 14, as substitute guitarist (stand-in) in 1951, at 16, Nong Felizardo became a regular member re-organized by Nong Felizardo after the retirement of Dodoy

11. The Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla: The present Present membership Nong Felizardo (72 yrs. old) and five other members aged late 40s to late 50s play by widu New influences juke box compact disc player

12. THE TUGAWE DAUIN RONDALLA The beginning successor of the Bidy Band Rondalla, organized in 1951 by the late Brigido Alama, nicknamed Bidoy composed of only 5 members two members were brothers (Leonardo’s father and Bidoy are brothers); the rest were non-relatives presently, headed by Nong Leonardo “Nardo” Alama who revived the rondalla group in 1974

13. THE TUGAWE DAUIN RONDALLA Present membership all new members; relatives by consanguinity and affinity aged between 38 and 67 years old majority had only elementary education; two finished high school and vocational education skills in instrument playing are learned within the family they learned music by ear ( widu ) new influences: jukebox, transistor radio

14. Barangay Tugawe guitar-making: A side craft Nong Leonardo learned the craft at 32 from an experiment Learned from his uncle Bidoy, also a skilled carpenter and craftsman also makes bajo and banjo his grandson, William, at 18 can already make a guitar

15. CHILDREN RONDALLA IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS Alama Children Rondalla intra-family and community based transmission of rondalla skills is informal members learned music by ear mentor is Nong Leonardo composed of 5 boys and a girl grandchildren, nephew, niece and children of affinal relatives all high school students aged 14-18 placed second in the 2004 Buglasan Rondalla Competition

16. transmission is formal and systematic learned to read music notes and master the music piece mentor, Mr. Bebiano “Alan” Tuayon organized in September 2006 has 32 members, 24 are males and 8 are females 6 members from the elementary; 26 from the high school won 5 th place in the 2006 Buglasan Festival Rondalla Competition School-Based Children Rondalla

17. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION: SOURCES OF PRIDE Mabuhay Dauin Rondalla (1) 1958 – champion, Zamboanga City Rondalla Competition 1970 – champion, Negros Oriental Rondalla Competition in Dumaguete City 1981- champion, First Buglasan Festival Competition 1982- provided the rondalla accompaniment to Kasal Kadauinonan, one of the winners of that year’s Buglasan festival that performed at the Philippine Folk Arts festival at the Folk Arts Theater

18. 1989- champion, Negros Oriental Centennial Celebration Rondalla Competition (defeated the Tugawe group representing Bacong) 1989- as champion of the rondalla competition, was brought to Makati City to perform during the week long Negros Oriental showcase at the Hotel Nikko Manila Garden 1990- invited to entertain the Spanish ambassador who was guest of the Province of Oriental Negros Mabuhay Dauin Rondalla (2)

19. 2004- provincial champion, Buglasan Rondalla Competition 2004- best instrumental accompaniment, Pinaskuhan Parol and Sayawit Festival, when it accompanied Dauin Sayawit contingent 2006- champion, Buglasan Rondalla Competition senior division 2006- best instrumental accompaniment, Pinaskuhan Parol and Sayawit Festival for backgrounding the Dauin Sayawit contingent, which also won the championship Mabuhay Dauin Rondalla (3)

20. Dauin Rondalla Groups

21. Tugawe Rondalla Group 1989 – placed second, Negros Oriental Centennial Celebration Rondalla Competition 1995 – First Place, Perpetual Help Credit Cooperative, Inc. (PHCCI) Rondalla Competition in Dumaguete 1999 – recorded two pieces in a compact disc (CD), Pasko sa Pilipinas MAGLIPAY KITA TANAN PASKO AY SASAPIT

22. Rondalla achievements: Sources of pride The long list of awards and recognition received by the Dauin Mabuhay Rondalla… makes it the pride not only of Dauin but also of the Province of Oriental Negros boosts self-esteem for the town of Dauin and for the rondalla performers makes Dauin known in the Province as “ the home of excellent rondalla performers” The Tugawe group is most proud of its own stringed instruments and is also known as a family of rondalla players.

23. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The rondalla awards and recognitions enhance Dauin’s pride and identity in cultural preservation as well as in nature protection. The current plans of the mayor are worth pursuing: 1. to revive and popularize the rondalla in other barangays where groups have started to wane 2. to hold inter-barangay rondalla competitions 3. to institutionalize the rondalla activities as part of the town’s cultural program

24. 4. to provide financial support in the revival of rondallas in barangays 5. to support the rondalla instrument-making of Barangay Tugawe as livelihood project 6. to negotiate with local resort operators opportunities for local rondalla groups to perform and entertain their guests and correspondingly earn

25. THE END Special thanks to MALCOLM C. HIPONIA for the still photos and videos. www.dauin.blogspot.com