
About Kapangagi

Our Purpose
Kapangagi: Learn Kulintang Music for Southern Philippine Dance is a self-paced online course offering comprehensive video lessons, tutorials, and articles. Designed for performers, musicians, and cultural enthusiasts, it provides a deep dive into the rhythms and traditions of the Maguindanao, Maranao, and Sulu Archipelago peoples. At Kapangagi, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of kulintang music and dance by building an engaged community of learners, providing exceptional online video learning resources, and promoting cultural events that celebrate and honor these traditions. Enroll now to embark on your journey into the vibrant world of Philippine kulintang music and dance.

About the Music and Peoples of the Southern Philippines
The Philippines is inhabited by more than 182 ethnolinguistic groups. In this series, we’ll explore the music traditions of groups from the Mindanao Region, including: Maguindanao, Maranao, and the Sulu Archipelago.
Maguindanao
The word Maguindanao or Magindanaw means "people of the flood plains", from the word Magi'inged that means "people or citizen" and danaw that means "lake or marsh". They are one of the oldest sultanates of Mindanao. It is home to many kulintang virtuosos and experts at weaving the inaul malong designs.
What you'll learn in this course
Learn the complexities of Maguindanao kulintang music featuring the new style composition Binalig. Generations of musicians communicate through the gongs. Versions of each piece vary in every village. Processional music played by a small handheld gong and snare drum enliven the Sagayan warrior dance that brings forth good spirits. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan.




Maranao
The Maranao are a predominantly Muslim Filipino ethnic group known as "people of the lake" who inhabit the region around Lake Lanao in Mindanao, Philippines, and are known for their rich culture, including the Sarimanok bird motif, the Darangen epic, and intricate Okir art.
What you'll learn in this course
Professional female performing artists compose and transmit songs through the Maranao kolintang tradition. Kanditagaonan is the basic children’s piece for all students. Dance accompaniments align with the improvised choreographies for Kasingkil—a bamboo dance for women—and many traditional movements. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Usopay Cadar.
Sulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean, in the southwestern Philippines. The archipelago forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea and southern limit of the Sulu Sea. The archipelago is the home of the indigenous Tausug people; various group of Sama people including the semi-nomadic Bajau; the land-based Sama; the related Yakan people; and the Jama Mapun people.
What you'll learn in this course
Lively gong music known as tagunggu accompanies graceful movements from the Igal and Pangalay dance genres of the Sulu Archipelago. Tungkil is the dance accompaniment to study along with the musical overture Lisag panagnaan. Featuring pieces from Cultural Practitioners such as: Taalao Manandao.






About the Instruments

About the Instruments
What is a Kulintang?
The kulintang is the main melodic instrument that consists of 8 small knobbed gongs laid horizontally across a long wooden stand.
What instruments are in a Kulintang Ensemble?
The kulintang ensemble includes a variety of gong and drum instruments. Kulintang music is performed in various social contexts - for entertainment, celebration, community events, competition, courtship, weddings, as well as for healing rituals. Every region throughout the southern Philippines has their own distinct instrumentation for their gong-chime ensembles.
Instruments in the Ensemble

Kulintang

Agong

Dabakan

Gandingan

Babandil

Tambul

Meet Our Cultural Practitioners
Proceeds of our sales will go back to help support Cultural Practitioners and their communities.

Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan

Usopay Cadar

Taalao Manandao

Meet Our Instructors

Bernard Ellorin, PhD

Eleanor Lipat-Chesler

Kim Kalanduyan

Marlo Campos

Peter de Guzman

Michelle Camaya Julian

Janet Asuncion

Mary Grace Nievera

Anna Lisa de Guzman


