String quartet kwerdas live at the northwing

CEBU, Philippines – The string quartet Kwerdas was formed in the year 1999 in Silliman University’s College of Performing Arts (then School of Music) to reflect the past, present, and future of Filipino rondalla music.

The rondalla was introduced to the country by the West through Spain whose explorers first came to the islands in 1521. Comprised of various plucked string instruments of the lute and guitar family (banduria, laud, octavina, gitara and bajo), the Philippine rondalla is also deeply associated with other classical and folk instrumental traditions all over the world.

Kwerdas has done both local and international performances as guest artists or featured performers. Most notably Kwerdas participated in the Asian-Carribean Festival in Miami, Florida and were mainstays for the 1st and 2nd International Rondalla and Pluck String Festival organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Watch Kwerdas perform live at The Northwing Atrium today May 29, 2009 at 5pm.