Lupon Anduyo

CEBU, Philippines - Favorite local “resonance heads” provided higher frequencies to amplify San Remigio Beach Club’s ninth anniversary party mode last May 14.

Borge Segovia, Sugar Garces, Jonel Lumbab, Jhunmer Inocian, Nieven Singson, Andre Longakit, Jheran Inocian, Dennis Gerosaga, Marky Encallado, Jimmy Bitoon and Cliff Nangit - collectively called Lupon Anduyo Percussion Ensemble - demonstrated tactile prowess in a two-set 45-minute play of percussive music to the delight of some 200 guests (travel agents, operators, suppliers, and press people) gathered at San Rem’s beachfront (near the sea pool).

Lupon Anduyo is the shortened form of “Lumadnong Pundok nga Manduyogay” which was formalized in 2002 in Bohol during the grand opening of the Island City Mall there. It was in 2001 when Segovia, Garces, Singson and Jheran Inocian were commissioned to provide a welcome beat for the arrival of delegates to the 2001 Dancesports Competition here in Cebu City.

From then on, their gig list couldn’t stop striking beatnik with major events such as the formal “lights on” ceremony of the Cebu International Convention Center, the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, Miss Cebu Tourism pageants, as well as the Grand Sinulog Finalé from 2005 to 2011 (together with dance troupes of various Cebu universities) headed by choreographers Mr. Victor Cuenco and Engr. Junjet Primor.

Why go tribal? Segovia said that tribal music is only a part of their repertoire. “Lupon Anduyo is not entirely tribal in nature, yet Philippine indigenous music (which includes the published and unpublished authentic music of the archipelago) plays an integral part of our foundation way back in 1995, during our high school days, at the University of Cebu,” he clarified.

“Lupon Anduyo actually specializes in Latin, neo-ethnic, tropical, Tahitian/Polynesian, ethnic, Afro-Latin, tribal and world music,” he added.

Further, Segovia pointed out that Lupon Anduyo is “among the most versatile youth musicians in Cebu.” This is because the ensemble has the capacity to mix various types and genres of dance music and beat ranging from jingles, mantra music, dance accompaniment, concept-based pageant and/or fashion modeling, festival beats, etcetera.

As for the concern on whether Lupon thinks the audience has a difficult time relating to “just the music” or “without the words of conventional songs”, Segovia explained that based on their experience in various performances, the audience “goes gaga over the sound we produce, so the lyrics is not an issue to them”.

“We usually leave our audience dance to the rhythm and beat and leave them the honor to judge our group,” Segovia quipped.

Lupon Anduyo has not seriously indulged in the publishing or recording of albums to promote their music to the listening market. Instead, they bank on a higher definition of livewire performances. “We give the best of our abilities. We give our all in every performance to the utmost satisfaction of our immediate audience - bystanders, spectators and even hooligans,” he said with a whomp.

“This is because Lupon Anduyo believes that giving our best in every performance is the best ‘calling card’.”

Segovia also indicated that the group is not, in anyway, influenced by other tribal groups.

“Yet, we admit that various groups have given Lupon ideas on adding a mix of commerce with ethnicity, a rather common way to gain recognition for our own music and the entertaining principles therein.”

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To connect with Lupon Anduyo, contact: [email protected] or [email protected]; Facebook account: lupon anduyo. (FREEMAN)