Songs, Stories, and Simulacra (Art straight from the Filipino heart) by Christina C. Espina A feature by FULLY BOOKED issue no.7 vol. 6

Rhyan Casiño:
Finding the Music

photography by Aries Guinto
   Rhyan in Tigwahanon garb during a recording
session of genuine Manobo, Tigwahanon music at Wombworks Recording Studio
 Another one of his endeavors geared towards preserving our tribal music.

Some musicians like to say  that you don't choose your instrument: your instrument chooses you.

This certainly explains Rhyan Casino's musical path. As a university student, he longed to master the guitar, played bass in a band, and even look Classical Guitar lessons. Eventually, however, he concluded that "the instrument (was) just not for me". It wasn't until he saw the Talaandig tribal hand drum for the first time (or perhaps, until the drum saw him) that everything finally clicked. "I began playing it (but) friends thought that had been playing it for (some) time....

It just felt so natural to me."

This was just the first step on a musical journey that would go on to cover more ground - literally - than Casino could have anticipated. "I went to the mountains of Bukidnon and became friends with the Talaandig artists... I really felt that I belonged."

Soon, he became part of a tribal band, "the only non - Talaandig member of the group." From 2001 to 2005, the band created "beautiful world music" by weaving together the tribe's traditional percussions and |the western paradigm." They toured Mindanao and the Visayas, and even recorded an album, before finally disbanding.

photography by Aries Guinto
Indakolon band:( Rhyan on the middle with his foster father
Datu Nilo Gabao, and foster mother Bae Norita;
with Sammy Assuncion, frontman 
of Kalayo (formerly pimakpikan band)

A year later, Casino became the only non - Manobo member of a Matigsalug tribal band. This time, he learned to blend "young tunes" with traditional chants and the tone of the kudlong (two-stringed guitar). Yet, after another year of many concerts, the members went their separate ways.

Indigenous music continued to draw the urban-born Casino, and in 2007 it led him all the way to San Fernando, Bukidnon, "the hinterland of the Tigwahanon people," where he found a new gig playing "unadulterated" tribal music. It was also here that he met Datu Nilo Gabao, one of the most significant figures in his life. "He adopted me (into) his family, and we formed a band with his wife Bae Norita." The band called itself Indakulon, the Tigwahanon word for "to grow".

Ironically, it was settling with the Tigwahanon that helped Casino realize that his deram to share indigenous music encompassed more than a single tribal tradition - or a single indigenous art. This dream led to the formal organization of the Dire Husi Tribal Band early in 2009.

Dire is the Visayan word for "here", while "husi" is the Manobo word for "friend." Together they are a perfect combination for an eclectic group of "young indigenous talents...from different background - an Umayam tribe, a Higaonon tribe, (and a) Manobo tribe - coming together to create a Mindanao sound, infused with a bit of Western discipline." Casino describes their sound as "enthralling and upbeat world music."

Yet what really makes the Dire Husi Tribal Band stand out is its members' dual talents as musicians and as "craftsmen and visual artists." Hoping to popularize traditional chants and crafts among urban Filipinos, they are beginning with guerrilla marketing. "(This) May 25", for instance, "we will be doing a campus run (of) high end universities (in) Metro Manila...

It is an endeavor cultural at heart and national in vision, and Casino and his band hope to reach even urban music lovers and fashionistas. Likely drawing on his experience as a member of a band and of a tribe, Casino concludes, "many hands can do great things."

a feature of 
FULLY BOOKED magazine
Issue NO.7 Vol 6
June-July 2009

A MAN OF ART featuring Rhyan Casiño by: Mr. Mark Francisco Urban Life Gold Star Daily Newspaper Jan. 31, 2014

ART connoisseurs in Cagayan de Oro can already recognize the name Rhyan Casiño, but there's more to this man than just by being an artist. Rhyan is actually also a percussionist, an advocate for the indigenous people, a passionate Christian adopting street kids in his home, an event organizer, and a talent ,manager rolled into one. On top of that, he's also the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) visual arts coordinator for Northern Mindanao. 

But the road to being a multi - tasking public persona was not an easy one.

During his elementary days, Rhyan was already sketching He - Man and Thundercats characters. Then high school cane and Rhyan temporarily shelved his art inclinations to pursue a rock star lifestyle. He became a bass player in several bands but the fast high school life proves too stressful for him that he has to retreat to Central Mindanao University (CMU) to give himself some moments of reflection.. and so the journey to his true calling began.

In CMU, he rediscovered his art inclination by doodling grafitti on the wall of his dorm room. He soon found his way back to CDO and enrolled at Xavier University. Rhyan joined Circulo de Arte' and became its president from 1998 - 1999. During his stint, he was able to steer the group beyond the campus and joined mainstream exhibits here, in Limketkai as well as Consuelo's. Yet Rhyan was still restless - he jumped from one program to another (Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Animal Science). He decided to quit. "I cannot imagine myself becoming an agriculturist. I need to pursue full time in the arts," Rhyan quipped in this interview. The decision was not without cost. There was a time that he missed eating meals for four straight days. Eventually, rewards started trickling in.

Through friends he made with Circulo de Arte', Rhyan was able to organize Grupong Biswal in 2000 and they held art exhibits here. One of his art patrons invited him to Kaamulan Festival in 2001 and

he was introduced to some Talaandig leaders there. It was at this time that Rhyan's musical inclination was put into motion. The Talaandig tribe taught him to play indigenous musical instruments such as palundag, kubing and percussion. He ditched the rock genre and embraced the tribal scene - he became a member of the Dulang Hu Kidab. Together they toured all over Visayas and Mindanao especially during fiestas. It was in one of those gigs in Camiguin in 2004 that Rhyan met Shamae, also a visual artists like him.

The two fell in love then decided to settle down. They got married in a beach resort in Mambajao. It was actually a concert wedding as tribal musicians from as far as Cebu serenaded the couple. Married life didn't stop Rhyan to be an advocate for the indigenous people. Rhyan was able to convince his wife to immerse with him in 2006 to a Tigwahanon community in barangay Kibongcog, San Fernando, Bukidnon. Because the place is just beside the highway, Rhyan galvanized the Tigwahanons to establish an arthouse there so they could sell their handicarafts and teach the younger generation on how to make those crafts. Then the idea shaped in his head - why not bring the Tigwahanons' handicrafts to CDO so they could sell more?

So Dire Husi initiatives was born and was registered in 2006 at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initially as a craft and accessories producer. Back then, social media was still in its infancy. Yet Rhyan's fame slowly spread and he was selling handicarafts as far as Inramuros during the yearly

Pasundayag fair of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Gensan Island fair down to south as well as various universities and colleges here. One evening while doing sketch portraits of some street kids in Divisoria, another idea formed into Rhyan's head - what if given the chance, these street kids could be taleted? What if they could make handicrafts, too? Rhyan Casino pitched the idea of establishing a center for the talented street kids to the British Council's I am a Changemaker contest in 2007. Rhyan'as entry won and Dire Husi Initiatives was awarded P1000,000 as  a grant. Rhyan used the money to establish the Dire Husi arthouse at 9th - 21st St. Nazareth. Soon, other out-of-school and marginalized youths began to frequent there. Some of theme were not just skilled in

handicrafts making, they were also adept in in other entertainment talents such as firedancing, unicycling, magic performing, henna tattoing, etc. One of those street kids is now himself a success story, Rusty Quintana, a graduating BS Devcom student from Xavier University who recently starred in the local indie film.

Dire Husi's fame grew that in 2012, President Aquino himself bestowed the group the coveted Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) award. Because of the diverse talents in his fold,

 Rhyan began to venture into talent management and event organizing in 2013 under the umbrella of R Productions.

R Production has in its fold Vital Signs Acoustics as well as a range of talents from human beat boxers to flash mob dancers. They maintain regular gigs at limketkai Center, Centrio and Lifestyle District, among others. So what's in store for Rhyan for the next two years and beyond?

Right now, an album of Vital Signs Acoustics is in the works. Meanwhile, the arthouse at Nazareth has transferred to Upper Puerto and Rhyan will be transforming it into a cafe soon for Bukidnon - boung tourists to drop by and relax while appreciating the paintings and other artworks there. Of course, Rhyan continues to painting canvasses in vatious media - watercolor,charcoal,soil, cofee etc. He has clients as far as United States who nerely order his artworks online. Despite those successes, the 36 year old Rhyan Casino never forgets that everything he's doing is all for GOD's glory. Every morning, he rallies the dozen street kids in his care at Upper Puerto to a Bible study, praising GOD.

Rhyan Casino is Mindanao Gold Star Daily Urban Life's Promoter for the Arts for the weekend issue.


This article was featured at the Urban Life Gold Star Daily Newspaper Jan. 31, 2014

Street kid turned missionary: The story of Paulo By: Bobby Lagsa

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – When Florante “Paulo” Talampas was just a baby, he was sold by his drunkard father to Wennie and Beth Luna for P500 ($11.26) to buy liquor.

Born to Florante, Sr., and to Elena, a mother he never met, Paulo lived a life full of strife and tribulation.

“I never knew my father, and I never met my mother. I was between homes and rescue centers, and spent 10 years of my childhood life in the streets,” Paulo said.

Wennie and Beth Luna took care of him as a baby. He was, however, eventually transferred to Beth’s sister, Daisy Galendez. When Paulo was 3 years old, the Galendezes had a baby. Everything then changed.

“I was treated cruelly by Daisy, but uncle Romy was kind to me,” Paulo recalled.

When he was 6 years old, he got lost during one of his walks in the city. Paulo stayed in the park until he was taken by the rescue staff of the city government-owned Tahanan ng Kabataan.

He stayed there for weeks until one of the kids asked him to join their escape. He ended up in the streets of Divisoria. Paulo recalled that he was again rescued and sent to the House of Love, a rescue center where he spent a year.

Florante Talampas' 

Paulo’s adoptive parents refused him when he was brought back to their home. He was told of his true identity. They told him it was better for him to stay with the shelter.

Florante Talampas' photo as a street chil
d in Plaza Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City.
photo credits by Anj Paz

“I was told of my real identity, who my father, my younger brother and my older sister,” Paulo said.

In 2000, the 8-year old Paulo then hit the streets of Cagayan de Oro City, marking the start of his 10-year journey of, in his own term, “God’s preservation of me for a purpose”.

Different from the rest

Paulo shared that he feels different from the other street children, like Rusty Quintana whom he became friends with.

“The other street children will do drugs after we get some money from scavenging. I, on the other, hand would spend my money in the Internet café, reading, and playing games,” Paulo said.

He was addicted to video games. That was his drug. The Internet cafés also provided him shelter at night.

After a scavenging run, and selling their finds, Paulo would set aside money for food, “while the other street children would just disappear,” Paulo said.

Paulo said that when he has no money, the only way to satisfy his hunger was to scavenge food from the garbage. (Read: Meal of the day: 'Pagpag')

“We would dig for fried chicken, burger … That was very tough,” Paulo recalled.

Life with Deri Husi

Like his friend Rusty Quintana, in 2010, he would spend time in Deri Husi halfway house in Barangay (village) Nazareth together with other stowaways.

Rhyan Casino, founder and executive director of Deri Husi Initiative said that Paulo is an “overcomer,” someone who takes decisive actions to change their lives.

At the Deri Husi, Paulo learned to use art as a transformation tool. Paulo and Rusty would do human statue, fire dancing, crafts, paintings and percussions. Paulo also learned how to beatbox, and was elected as president of the Oro BeatBox.

“I gained some insight on leadership as the president. We found gigs and earned some. We learned new skills and incorporate that in our group,” Paulo added.

Life for a mission

When Typhoon Sendong (Washi) destroyed the home of the Lunas, Paulo, volunteered to look after their tent in an evacuation center.

There, Paulo met missionaries and pastors that would change his life.

Paulo said that Pastor Jun Managantan caught his attention. He found himself looking forward to their activities at the evacuation center.

Pastor Managantan then suggested to Paulo that he join the 2012 summer youth camp with the Teens Mission International in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. In June 2012, Paulo joined the institution as a full-time student taking a diploma in the Bible.

Life in teen mission international

Paulo came to appreciate his life as he was studying at the TMI.

“We were provided food and shelter for free as students, but we need to source our own allowances,” Paulo said.

Florante Talampas dur                                 Florante Talampas during his graduation at the Teens Mission International

                                                                                             in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

“God preserved me while I was in the streets, for a purpose only God knows,” Paulo said.

He added that life in the streets is a constant battle to stay alive.

“Anytime you can get killed. You can get sick. You can get arrested,” Paulo said. He came to appreciate life as a missionary, too

“I almost gave up while at the school. I have no money, it was so depressing. I have nothing to buy for my own hygiene,” Paulo said.

“You know that verse, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all his richness will be bestowed upon you?' That is God’s promise that there will be abundance,” Paulo said.

“By the grace of God and by faith, some friends have contributed for my allowances, especially Rhyan,” Paulo said.

Paulo added that there were times during his missionary works when he had to walk for hours because he had no fare.

But that long walk also provided him some solitary time to commune with God. “The pastors prayed for me. They give me encouragement. They give me the moral support,” Paulo said.

On May 10, 2015, Paulo graduated at the TMI with a Diploma in Ministerial works, a 3-year course that led him to a life as a missionary.

Preparing for missionary work

“I am preparing to do God’s work, to be a preacher and organizer,” Paulo said with a smile.

Rhyan said that Paulo has a longing to get out, that in just one week, he was already able to organize the children in the community as his first project.

“I want to do children ministry, or be a pioneer and start my own church,” Paulo said.

Paulo is also planning to take the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education so he would qualify to take up theology. Paulo also hopes to visit his mother whom he never met in Davao.

“I am excited to meet her, and make her proud of what I made of myself,” Paulo said.

Paulo is now waiting for the approval to work with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) as missionary worker.

“This life as a missionary, I am excited for it. God has kept me safe all my life for this purpose, to serve and glorify him,” Paulo said

written by: Bobby Lagsa