I’m Amazed by UMaK Tunog Kawayan
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By Oggie Medina
Last May 27, 2026, I was invited by my former University of Makati’s fellow faculty member Dr. Matt Macalaguing, director of UMaK’s CTIED (Center for Technology Incubation and Enterprise Development), which is designed to foster innovative ideas, support student and faculty entrepreneurs, and convert classroom projects into real-world business ventures. He invited me to attend the 2025 Project RISE (Resiliency, Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship) Top 10 event at the Makati Diamond Residences (NURSYNC team won the grand prize of P300,000).
From there, I discovered a student artist group, the UMaK Tunog Kawayan, that really caught my attention and I was absolutely amazed by such an excellent performance. It is the premier bamboo music ensemble of the University of Makati (UMak).
Operating under the University’s Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA), this student artist group specializes in traditional and contemporary arrangements using indigenous bamboo instruments that entertained me so much.
The ensemble is highly recognized as an Anklung Ensemble, utilizing traditional bamboo shaking instruments. It features a unique blend of traditional bamboo music combined with a modern rhythm section (including guitar, piano, and beatbox).
The group represents UMak’s commitment to cultural advocacy and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding lifelong learning and heritage preservation.
Moreover, the ensemble actively serves as cultural ambassadors for both the university and the city of Makati during high-profile events. At the joint FIA-PCFMI Policy Forum, the said student artist group performed for international and local delegates at the Shangri-La at the Fort.
During UMak’s 54th Founding Anniversary, the group also headlined institutional celebrations on campus. At the BPM TALK, the ensemble featured as a guest performer for cultural youth leadership events.
And I am looking forward for more performances from UMaK Tunog Kawayan in the near future.