The Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble is a vibrant group associated with the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) in Tampa, Florida. Composed of over twenty-five talented members, it is directed by Nhick Ramiro Pacis, a composer and arranger. The ensemble focuses on promoting awareness of Asian and Philippine music through various performances and educational classes held at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center. They aim to connect with Filipino roots and share cultural experiences with the community.
Talented Pacis, who is a former member of the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, has composed and arranged music since he enrolled at the College of Music at UP. During their US tour and performance in Tampa, PCFI petitioned Pacis to remain as the Musical Director of the foundation. It didn’t take long for Pacis to be asked by Joey Omila, then the Director of Cultural Affairs of PCFI, to form a Bamboo orchestra using the local talents of Filipinos in Tampa. Since then, the orchestra has played in many cities in Florida, and the Philippine Performing Arts Company dance group at the annual grand Sampaguita Ball. In the beginning, the group was composed of young teens. Today, the orchestra is composed of retired professionals and entrepreneurs. The orchestra holds its annual concert every November at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa.
With the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, PCFI’s Music and Instrumental Program has been realized to present and instill Asian and Philippine music awareness among Filipino Americans, in particular, and the public, in general, through ethnic instrumental and music instructions, musical productions, and music composition.
Musikong Kawayan classes are held on Saturdays from 10:00 AM at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center. These classes are free to the public. For more information, please contact the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. at the Bayanihan Arts Center in Tampa, FL.
more details at https://www.facebook.com/mkawayan and www.pcfitampa.org
