Ateneo de Davao University recently recognized singer Bayang Barrios as its 2024 recipient of the Fr. Theodore Daigler Award for Culture and Arts for her music and advocacies. 

Gossip Girl was able to talk to Bayang, a Manobo Triber from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, “It was a real surprise for me, and it’s an honor I’ll take with me forever. Mindanao Culture is in everything that I do. Our rights, particularly those of the indigenous tribespeople in the south, have always informed my craft.” 

Bayang Barrios is one of the Philippines’ most iconic folk musicians. She is known for her commitment to preserving indigenous culture and giving a voice to the Lumad, a collective term for indigenous groups in Mindanao. Her music, which blends modern folk with traditional Indigenous sounds, is a celebration of the country’s diverse cultural heritage and a call for justice and recognition for marginalized communities. Bayang grew up in a region where traditions were deeply rooted in the daily lives of her people; she was immersed in the rich oral and musical traditions of the Manobo tribe. These early influences and her exposure to mainstream Filipino music would shape her distinct sound as an artist. Her family’s experience as part of a marginalized indigenous group deeply affected her worldview, and it became a defining force behind her music. She sought to create music that entertained and educated people about indigenous Filipinos' struggles and contributions. From my interview with Bayang, I was particularly struck with these powerful words from the arad-winning singer, “I am so lucky to have these opportunities, as they allow me to share not just my music, but the music of our Indigenous Peoples, their cultures and their significance to our national fabric, through my songs. I fervently hope that a New Morning dawns on every one of us, regardless of how dire a situation we may find ourselves in. We need to realize that the sun rises every day, and it is a gift of renewal that should never be taken for granted.”

This major opportunity she is mentioning is not only her new award but also that she is back in the concert arena as she stages her second solo show, “Bagong Umaga,” at the Music Museum on Oct. 26. 

Bayang Barrios tells me that she is so blessed to be able to feature her brand of music in the 2024 concert scene, “World Music and especially Filipino music has its place in pop culture, and I am so happy to see many new bands and artists infuse their music with elements that are 'sariling atin'! I hope many of your readers of the Manila Bulletin will come to see the show. Mike and I are very proud of the music we have prepared for it, some re-imaginings of my songs, also of classic OPM, and new material  we wrote for a new album we’re releasing later this year.” Mike Villegas is the better half of Bayang Barrios. The Rizal Underground guitarist who popularized the songs 'Sabado Nights' and 'Bilanggo' has married Bayang Barrios for 22 years, “Mike and I have known each other for so long. We were boyfriend and girlfriend off and on for 11 years before tying the knot back in 2002. Bandmates, we wrote many songs together, such as 'Bagong Umaga,' which made it to the 1996 Metropop. Although it didn’t place, it has shone like a beacon all these years for us, with its many shared triumphs in chorale competitions worldwide. When we got married in 2002, it was the same year I won the 2002 Metropop with my entry, “Malayo Man Malapit Din”, while Mike placed 2nd with 'Pretend That I Don’t Love You!' We’ve co-produced many albums since, under my record label, which incidentally bears the name of our one and only child, our daughter Mayumi. She was diagnosed with mild autism, but she’s coping, and she was blessed with perfect pitch! She is a real blessing, a beautiful symbol of God’s love for Mike and myself.” 

Throughout her career, Bayang Barrios has used her platform to advocate for indigenous people's rights and raise awareness of their plight. The Lumad, in particular, have faced displacement and violence due to ongoing conflicts over land in Mindanao. Through her music, Bayang Barrios has highlighted their struggles, often singing in her native dialect to emphasize the importance of cultural preservation. Truly, Bayang Barrios is a champion of the indigenous rights of Mindanao tribes and environmental activism.