A Kalinga musician's love for culture and nature

The life of an artist is unpredictable, and Pasil, Kalinga councilor Arnel Banasan’s is no different.

- By YVETTE TAN

PASIL, KALINGA councilor Arnel Banasan wants to promote love for the environment and Kalinga culture through civic work and the arts. (MJ Suayan)

(MJ Suayan)

Banasan is one of the most popular musicians in Kalinga. He is part of Mingor Chi Kultura (“Warriors of Culture”), an artist group that aims to promote Kalinga culture.

“I come from a line of chanters. They are healers; shamans,” he said in Taglish, adding that in Kalinga culture, shamans heal through chanting. “But I’m a late bloomer.”

His interest in music started in college, when he was exposed to folkhouses in Baguio City, idolizing bands like Asin, whose songs revolved around society and the environment. He realized that he wanted to become a performer when Asin held a concert in Baguio and needed traditional dancers. Even though he was shy, he volunteered and ended up dancing for them. This led to being a roadie while they toured the Cordilleras. “I was absent for three weeks,” he said. “It was a good experience. I carried their instruments and... played the bamboo flute on one of their songs. I was 16 or 17.”

Caring for the environment