The funds granted will be used to produce our biennial festival we call “The Gongsters Paradise,” a 4-hour long festival showing the different ways artists from different parts of North America applied kulintang music into their body of work that includes venue rentals, production expenses and artist fees.
Core Programs include:
1. Gongster’s Paradise – The only Kulintang Festival in North America, Gongster’s Paradise is a concert that celebrates Pilipino Indigenous music, particularly the sounds of kulintang honoring the Godfather of Filipino-American Kulintang Music and NEA Artist Danny Kalanduyan. This festival brings together a dynamic lineup of artists who honor both traditional and contemporary interpretations of kulintang and other Indigenous Filipino soundscapes. It serves as a platform for intergenerational and cross-cultural exchange, featuring master artists from the Philippines, emerging Filipinx diasporic musicians, and innovative artists who integrate ancestral rhythms into modern compositions. Beyond performances, the event fosters conversations about cultural preservation, decolonization, and artistic evolution. Gongster’s Paradise amplifies the presence of Filipino Indigenous music on the global stage, inspiring artists and audiences to reconnect with their roots.
2. Uni at Ugat Music Camp – As the first and only Filipino music-focused camp, Uni at Ugat creates a rare and immersive experience where master artists from the Philippines, music scholars, Filipinx diasporic music expertes/professionals and contemporary practitioners guide artist cohorts in integrating Pilipino cultural elements into their craft. Designed for musicians, composers, and sound artists seeking deeper connections to their Filipino identity, this camp offers intensive workshops, mentorship, and collaborative music creation and exlploration. With a focus on Indigenous and diasporic perspectives, it bridges generations, genres, and geographies, helping Filipino music continues to thrive and evolve.

