“… Maaari nating ibalik ang mga hele na ito na maging bahagi ng ating pang araw-araw na buhay nang sa gayon ay lalo pa nating makilala ang ating mga sarili bilang Pilipino. ” — Mr. Dennis N. Marasigan, Vice President & Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)

Antiqueños had a one of a kind cultural experience as lullabies, locally known as hele, were brought back to life by renowned CCP performers and University of Antique (UA) students during the Himig Himbing: Ang Mga Ambahanun Natun, at Paghi-usa Hall, September 28.

Himig Himbing, a flagship project of Cultural Center of the Philippines, was brought to the Province of Antique through CCP’s partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Senator Loren Legarda, Congressman AA Legarda, and UA, with the aim to present and preserve our culture through engaging the younger generation to the folk lullabies by tapping their nurturers.

Senator Legarda on her message, highlighted the responsibility of every Filipino to honor and recognize the indigenous and traditional music.

“Sama-sama nating pangalagaan ang yaman ng ating nakaraan at ng ating kultura bilang mga Pilipino, ” she further stated.

CCP artists, Ivar- Nicholas Fojas, and Sophia Pangunahan performed a solo guitar adaptation and dance to a Bicolano lullaby, “Katurog na Nonoy,” while Arsela Labajo, soulfully sang the famous “Dandansoy.”

Cong. Legarda together with Ms. Sol Trinidad, Mr. Lino Matalang Jr., Ms. Eva Marie Salvador, Mr. Dennis Marasigan, also led the giving copies of Himig Himbing Book that features a 16 lullabies from all over the country.

Mr. Reiner Paul Teologo, UA’s Chief Administrative Officer for Administration, extended his gratefulness to the organizing institutions for making UA a part of these initiative emphasizing that this is the first time in Western Visayas that national institutions such as CCP and NCCA tapped a State University to aid in implementing its mandate for preservation, development, and promotion of Philippine arts and culture.

The event, which also featured music videos and short films that used various cradle songs and series of performances from UA Ensemble, BPED Hublag Icons, and UA Chorale, was also graced by parents and their children, students, film directors, and various government leaders.