LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN— Often we say, the eyes is the window of one’s soul. But how can a visually impaired person express his soul? how can he express his inner self when hs is visually impaired?
For Uwang Ahadas, the Yakan master musician from this city, the problem with his vision was never a hindrance, it was an opportunity for him to compose music using the indigenous materials from his community.
Courage, was God’s gift to Uwang, the challenge led him to the apex of his success and ultimately was awarded by the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Award (GAMABA) for his valuable contribution of the country’s culture and the arts through his Yakan music.
Apa Uwang, as he is called, reached the ladder of success without literally seeing his victory, his eyes were the Yakan children who learned to use the Yakan musical instruments fom his teachings, he taught them how to play music, embrace and love their culture as people- their identity.
He expressed his deep love to his people through music. The distinct trait and character made him as one of the country’s GAMABA awardees.
At five year-old, Uwang started to notice his blurr vision but did not immediately inform his parents about his suferings but later he opened up, he started to wear sunglasses.
To express himself, Apa Uwang used kwintangan Kayu to produce a soothing music to serenade the ricelands as a belief to produce a bountiful harvest.
Kwintangan kayu, is a musical instrument made of five woodens stick horizontally arranged to produce music, the instrument Apa uwang designed.
Given his skills, Apa Uwang developed gabbang, a bamboo xylophone which he blended to the symphony of his kwintangan and then he used agung to produce a more vibrant and soothing music which the Yakan tribe is known for.
The Teacher:
Apa Uwang, based on his narrative to NCCA researchers, did not confide his teaching to the children of Lamitan City, despite his limitations to travel, he went out of his way to other Yakan communities, teaching the children the music and the use of indigenous instruments to produce their very own symphony to promote their identity.
Apa Uwang was truly gifted and a genius, young Yakans look forward to be like him.
Among his avid fan is his daughter Darna, at her young age, she now spreads her wings to follow the footstep of her father.
On February 16, no less than NCCA Chairperson Victorino Manalo led the tribute to Apa Uwang in a beach resort owned by the later’s family where his patriotism and contrinution to the country was remembered.
Roderick H. Furigay, the City Mayor, thanked Apa Uwang for showing the world his talent and for putting his city to the map heroes in the field of culture and the arts. a trait which according to Furigay “Truly Yakan, the humility, the prowess, the ingenuity and the love of community.”
Apa Uwang’s children shed tears while the tribute was ongoing, tears of joy, as could not imagine that the contribution of their late father to the country’s culture and the arts will be recognized beyond borders and beyond time.
For the Yakan and for the Lamiteño’s Apa Uwang, is more than a music and more than a symphony he is their identity and forever a treasure.-Editha Z. Caduaya
