About the Artist
Uwang Ahadas
February 15, 1945 – October 29, 2022
National Living Treasures Award
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He was the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) in 2000 conferred by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Philippine cultural heritage.
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With his excellent contribution, he is recognized to be the preservation of the musical traditions of the Yakan people, an indigenous group from Basilan.
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He went near blind when he was five years old. People in his community believed that this was due to retribution of nature spirits which lived in Bohe Libaken, a creek where Ahadas frequently bathed.
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Ahadas is also teaching his children along with other younger members of the community about Yakan music to ensure its transmission and continuity.
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They also dedicated the GAMABA Cultural Center to him which is currently being built as part of the GAMABA program aimed at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to conserve Yakan culture and tradition.
Uwang Ahadas:
Traditional Yakan
Music
1:25 - Gabbang
4:58 - Kwintangan Kayu
6:36 - Agung
His Legacy
Nowadays, people don't have enough knowledge about our traditions even though they naturally come from our ancestors. That is why this is our way to enlighten our generation. In Ahadas's field, he is showing his students to learn by doing it with gentle pressure and encouraging them to tap it out which is one of the best ways to teach our generation.
His approach combining gentle encouragement with practical engagement ensures that these traditions remain vibrant and relevant in contemporary society. Uwang Ahadas's legacy as a musician and educator underscores the importance of cultural preservation in an ever-changing world, making him a vital figure in the ongoing narrative of Philippine heritage.
His Death
Uwang Ahadas, the esteemed Filipino folk musician and National Living Treasure, passed away on October 29, 2022, at the age of 77. His death marked a significant loss for the Yakan community and the broader cultural landscape of the Philippines.
