A friend from Davao, Geejay Arriola, asked me to preview the songs in their new cd, Mga Kwentong Bata. This new cd is an impressive collection of 12 original tracks reminiscent of lullabies of old, and songs of empowerment and wonder of children. Click here to listen to the songs.
Geejay is a member of an organization called Mebuyan Peace Project. This organization is a group of 18 women arts and development workers based in Mindanao. These women have worked individually or as members of other organizations in various peacemaking and theatremaking projects for at least 10 years. They are also members of Kaliwat Theatre Collective (Davao), Kulturang Atin Foundation (Davao), Sining Kambayoka Ensemble (Marawi), EDCADS (Butuan), Sining Kabpapagariya (Gen. Santos), Kathara Dance Theatre Collective (Davao), Kariala Etniko (Iligan), and Seventh Heaven (Davao).
On May 18 2001, the women of these music and theater groups gathered and gave birth to Mebuyan Peace Project—a theatre and musical storytelling group. The idea is to produce artistic performances that will respond to women's and children's concerns in relation to the issues of personal, domestic, community, regional, and global peace.
Mebuyan also aims to help develop artists and peacebuilders through trainings and workshops in—creative writing—child rights—children's theatre— improvisational theatre— cultural action—dance and movement—environmental awareness—gender in development—global education—music and voice—music writing—organizational development—peacemaking—storytelling—theatre (acting, directing, playwriting, production design, lights design)—theatre in education—visual arts.
Mebuyan also aims to help develop artists and peacebuilders through trainings and workshops in—creative writing—child rights—children's theatre— improvisational theatre— cultural action—dance and movement—environmental awareness—gender in development—global education—music and voice—music writing—organizational development—peacemaking—storytelling—theatre (acting, directing, playwriting, production design, lights design)—theatre in education—visual arts.
The group also hopes to encourage and popularize women's arts and theatre through storytelling, music, and theater performances, and to popularize women's and children's issues through workshops and performances.
"Our mat is a world"
where arts is the norm rather than a specialty.
where there are no sounds of war and greed, only sounds of music and laughter.
where men and women are given equal opportunities.
where every woman and child knows no hate nor fear.
where every home is the safest and most peaceful place on earth.
where arguments end in songs, not in fistfights.
where cultural diversity is celebrated, not wiped out.
Geejay will let me know as soon as the group has selected their outlets in Manila. To know more about Mebuyan Peace Project, check out their website at http://www.mebuyanpeaceproject.org/women.htm .
