Banda Kawayan Pilipinas to Represent Philippines at 20th FIFAS in Argentina

MANILA, Philippines — Banda Kawayan Pilipinas (BKP) will represent the Philippines at the 20th Festival Internacional de Folklore Ashpa Súmaj (FIFAS), to be held from October 6 to 12, 2026 in Las Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

Now celebrating its 20th edition, FIFAS is an international cultural gathering that brings together folklore ensembles and artists from different countries for several days of performances, cultural exchange, and activities celebrating the diversity of the world’s traditional arts. The Philippine delegation will join participating groups in presenting the country’s musical heritage to Argentine and international audiences.

Banda Kawayan Pilipinas will showcase the distinctive sound of Filipino bamboo music through its bamboo marimbas, bumbongs, angklungs, and kalagong. The ensemble’s bamboo instruments were personally crafted and developed by its founder, Prof. Siegfredo B. Calabig, including the “Kalagong”, his original musical invention and one of the group’s signature instruments.

BKP’s participation in FIFAS continues its mission of bringing Philippine music and culture to the international stage. Following the festival, the delegation will also undertake cultural engagements in Buenos Aires, further promoting friendship and cultural exchange between the Philippines and Argentina.

With a musical tradition dating back to 1973, Banda Kawayan Pilipinas carries to Argentina a distinctly Filipino musical experience—transforming bamboo into an instrument of artistry, heritage, and cultural diplomacy.