Bagbagto (excerpt)

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classical experimental contemporary opera new music orchestral choral filipino philippines symphonic chamber a capella art song university of the philipp nilo alcala up college of music nilo alcala conemus

Nilo Alcala

Nilo Alcala is a Music Composition graduate (2007) at the University of the Philippines College of Music. His compositions have been awarded/featured in the following national/international competitions/festivals: -Asian Composers League Festival in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel (2004), -Florilege Vocal du Tours in France (2006), -World Choir Games in Xiamen, China (2006), -Busan International Choral Competition in Busan, Korea (2006) -I’mPulse International Music Camp of the Asia-Europe Foundation (2005), -NAMCYA Youth Choir Competition 2005 -Mga Awiting Bayan Choral Writing Competition of NAMCYA and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (2006), and -the MusicUnderKonstruction Concerts of the Metro Manila Community Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines 2006 and 2007 Alcala sang with and wrote music for the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers from 2003 to 2007 In February of 2007, He received the GAWAD CHANSELOR Natatanging Mag-aaral Award the highest recognition conferred by the University to students with outstanding achievements.

Song Info

Genre

Classical • Contemporary

Charts

#2,153 today Peak #36

#649 in subgenre Peak #18

Uploaded

April 20, 2010

Track Files

MP3

MP3 1.5 MB • 128 kbps • 1:36

Story behind the song

Bagbagto or Stone War is a composition based on a well-known gibberish chant of the Igorot tribe from Mountain Province in the Philippines.  A tradition that is not practiced anymore, the chanting of Bagbagto is done during the dry season to ensure a good harvest:


"The Igorots assembled at a dry river bed where opposing teams faced each other across the river and proceeded to throw stones.  Those who were able to cross the river bed amidst a hail of stones are declared victors.  Losers and victors alike received wounds and lost teeth but a bloody battle was thought to ensure a good crop of sweet potato. Curiously…no revenge was taken by the losers and the maimed were helped by the victors to get up and get assistance from the local herb doctors to stop the bleeding." (source: Physical Activities in the Philippines During the Pre-Spanish Period by Janice Ann Beran, Iowa State University)

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