Kinaiyang Sugbuanon

“Kinaiyang Sugbuanon” – this is the identifying theme of the big event coming to Cebu on March 15, 2008, courtesy of the Tipiganan sa Kinaiyang Sugbuanon Foundation.

What is “Kinaiyang Sugbuanon”? Is it simply an entertainment event designed to amuse and delight? The answer is both yes and no. For even as it will gladden the hearts of those who will see it, it will also awakens their sense of ethnic identity. It will delight them, for sure, but it will also define who they are, which is rather a sobering experience.

On that night there will be music, Cebuano music of yester years, composed by such well known musicians as Manuel Velez and “Minggoy” Lopez. Their compositions –Ako’y Kamputpot, Lawiswisan Kawayan and Sa Kabukiran by Velez and Kagahapon ug Karon, Rosas Pandan, and Pag-utlan by Lopez – will be interpreted by the internationally acclaimed UV Chorale.

The song numbers will no doubt touch the souls of those who hear them, and awaken sweet sentiments of love and romance, of faith in God and patriotism. More important, it will make them proud of being Cebuanos.

Pride of our cultural heritage is therefore one objective of this presentation. That’s why in addition to the musical numbers there will be a reenactment of such time-honored practices as “harana”, “pamalaye” and “kulilisi.” These are ethnic practices that have long been forgotten by contemporary Cebuanos, especially the city-bred ones. These are the practices which this writer hopes to revive in his humble way.

As a university official, this humble person is aware of the critical need of awakening the love and appreciation of Cebuano youth towards the cultural heritage of their people. This is precisely one major task of schools offering courses in the three curriculum levels, but more especially that of higher educational institutions such as the University of the Visayas.

Education to be complete must touch the entire potentials of the inviduals – that potential which relates to his development as a productive member of society, and that which ensures his fidelity and attachment to the group to which be belongs. The first task concerns the individual’s preparation as a career man while the second involves his formation as a strong advocate of the society to which he belongs.

But how should such formation be accomplished. To be sure, there are formal lessons treating of patriotism and love of country, including love of one’s own ethnic community. But such lessons should be complemented with exposure to the mores and traditions of the people as reflected in their cultural practices. Without such exposure, there’s no guarantee that book learning can result in the acquisition of sentiments biased to the cultural heritage of one’s people.

“Kinaiyang Sugbuano” was conceptualized to provide such cultural exposure. Actually, this is a sequence to the “Halad sa Sugbuanong Honi”, presented last year, also courtesy of this writer, and aimed at the same objective. God willing, there will be more of this kind in the years to come but dealing with other facets of the Cebuano culture.

A tall order, this, for it calls for an investment of substantial funds. But as long as this humble Cebuano is still able to do it, he and the UV, The Freeman, Banat and ABS-CBN will always be in the forefront in this endeavor, all for the good of all of us, the wonderful people of Cebu.