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Contributed by Caryn Paredes-Santillan
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Sunday, 19 June 2005 |
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Page 1 of 3 T a m p i p i
Tampipi-(tam-pee-pee) noun. Is the almost-forgotten Tagalog word for a container or a receptacle used by the older generations (circa 1900s) to carry their possessions when they traveled
The Origins of Tampipi
Informally organized, Tampipi made its first public performance during the Filipino Family Day in November 2004. The group however, was officially formed in February of 2005 upon the urging of Cesar Santoyo who saw promise in the group’s growing repertoire of songs.
The Music of Tampipi
Tampipi is a receptacle of things Filipino. It symbolizes all that we hold dear. It speaks of travel, of adventure, of learning and of growth. Tampipi is about give and take, learning and teaching, observing and incorporating things we deem precious and important into our daily lives.
The music of Tampipi finds its inspiration in simple snippets of the life of a Filipino away from the Philippines. Through their songs, Tampipi tries to communicate how living and working abroad changes and shapes our lives and how we deal with these transformations.
The songs of Tampipi are a collection of life abroad: a song of a mother crooning a lullaby to her baby back home, sending words of love across the seas …songs of laughter and of the Filipinos’ legendary love of singing …songs that chide us to take it easy on ourselves …songs of farewell and of reminiscing the past.
They are currently finishing up on their first album, TAMPIPI: Mula Sa Ibayo scheduled for release in late 2005.
The Songs of Tampipi
Dapithapon
Awarded third place in the Gawad Ka Amado Songwriting Competition (2004), Dapithapon conveys a story we are all familiar with: the hardship of being away from our family. Indeed OFWs and expats are constantly torn between the practical need to earn a living and the warmth of being with one’s loved ones. In this poignant lullaby, a mother croons her baby to sleep, sending her love across the seas, with it a plea to understand the circumstances of their separation.
Gusto Kong Kumanta
Filipinos love to sing. We sing on the street, we belt it out in the shower, we whistle while we work. No matter how we do it, music is an inherent part of our lives and the song Gusto Kong Kumanta conveys this sentiment exactly. Featuring a delightful blend of different styles of singing ranging from pop to rap to classical, this catchy tune will have you singing in no time.
Halakhak
Filipinos are said to have an over-developed sense of humor. Halakhak, the Filipino word for ‘laughter’, the song literally tells us that laughter is the best medicine.
Ikaw Kaya
A wistful song questioning the reality of love.
Kakayanin
When problems enter our lives we seek the comfort of someone knowing what to do. Someone that has gone through the same and made it through. But what happens when we don’t find that somebody. This song tries to show that the process of finding out is as important as the answers.
Liham
Time flies. New days and new ways pass us by. This song is a letter to all the friends and people that have entered and touched our lives…just to say hello.
Paalam
A song of farewell … the hurts of leaving a loved one… of parting… of letting go.
Tanging nais
All of us seek guidance one time or another. Missing the counsel of someone we hold in high regard, our father.
WabiSabi
Life can be very driven for someone who is working abroad to support a vast network of familial ties. For some, days begin as early as 4 a.m. and end around 10 p.m. All this energy focused on earning more money to be able to send more back home. WabiSabi, the Japanese word for harmony, reminds us to find a balance in the things we do, and try to take it easy. Life is short and we should enjoy it.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 November 2005 )
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