Aside from playing indigenous instruments, Elmer also composes his own songs inspired by traditional music and melodies. Today, his original song compositions were played in various gatherings in the Cordillera. His song entitled “Bolinayan” was featured during the ‘Am-Among Di Cordillera’, a Convergence for Cordillera Autonomy at the Agoncillo Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City in 2018. He also performed these compositions during the Abrenian Heritage Film Festival, and the Cordillera Month celebrations.
Preserving Tingguian identity through music
Tadeo calls for the support of local government units (LGUs) and other partners in the preservation and promotion of indigenous music through funding initiatives. As a community volunteer at the moment, Tadeo is only mobilizing learning sessions on Tingguian Instruments through his own initiative.
“Ti sirmatak lang, adda kuma venue for all these talents nga agsasabat, ket nu dagitoy nga talents may-share, umad-adu pay tapno makita dagiti sumaruno nga generation nga adda kastoy nga kultura [My vision is that there will be a venue for all these talents to unite, and if these talents are shared, they are multiplied for the next generations to see that there’s a culture like this],” he expressed.
This year, Tadeo said that he will be opening his local music school in Malibcong where he can teach the young kids to learn and carry on the love for native music. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
