In this day and age when Facebook and YouTube rule, Tiktok and Twitter are in the rage, K-Pop and American Top 40 continue to dominate, and Netflix, HBO and other streaming platforms, plus Disney, Marvel, and DC characters and films dictate who to idolize and watch, where does our katutubong awit, pambatang tula, and oyayi fit into this happy chaos that we call globalization and modernization?
The answer to this question, Atty. Jose Miguel Palarca, spokesperson of Feast Foundation replies: “The Dadadoos is the answer to that and we are here to let kids, five years old and below, learn, remember, and fall in love with them.”
Feast, which means “Filipino Excellence in Arts Science and Technology,” is the foundation responsible for forming The Dadadoos, a Filipino music and dance group that aims to entertain Filipino kids while educating them about Filipino culture and values.
Their digital children’s show is now available for viewing and singing along on Feast Foundation’s YouTube channel with Filipino classic katutubong awit (folk songs) and tulang pambata (nursery rhymes) that will surely be enjoyed by kids and adults whose inner duwendes are alive and kicking.
Ian Bakanawa is the Dadadoos musical. He gives a winsome and whimsical take to the Dadadoos theme, “Pakitong Kitong,” “Sitsiritsit,” “Bahay Kubo,” “Sampung Mga Daliri,” “Leron Leron Sinta,” “Paro-Parung Bukid,” “Kung Ikaw ay Masaya,” and “Pen Pen de Sarapen.” Choreographers are Raflesia Bravo and Alexis Pelaez
The Dadadoos are composed of Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Maxinne Ignacio, Fiona Sarte, John Arcenas, Vic Robinson, and Rissey Reyes as ‘Dada Diwata.’ Most of them are commercial models, singers, and theater actors.
All of them are ecstatic to be part of a children’s program that inculcates Filipino values and presents our own culture. They, being the kuyas and ates of the present generation excite and thrill them.
Director Joseph Abello says: “Doing this show is a happy challenge for me. It does not seem alien because aside from being a filmmaker, I do community development projects wherein all the things that are considered old fashion are given utmost importance, especially Filipino values and it does not end there.”
“There is this genuine concern why folk songs, lullabies, and traditional nursery rhymes are slowly fading. That is why I am ecstatic that Feast Foundation is doing its share to let everyone, especially the kids realize the value of these songs and rhymes. Bahagi kasi sila ng kultura natin and what makes as unique as Filipinos,” he went on.
“The reason why we targeted kids is simply that they absorb learning easily, and they will know it by heart. And that aside from it being enjoyable to sing, their sense of appreciation for it will be deepened, and as they grow, that love for it, for anything and everything that is Filipino, be it a song, poetry, or dance, will never diminish, laging may apoy at pagmamahal para sa sariling atin,” Palanca adds.
Having viewed the nine songs, what Feast Foundation and director Joseph Abello may add are: a brief history or origin of the song. After each song, an explanation of words that may not be easily understood by kids will be a good add-on to matching how to use them in sentences or conversation examples. Also, since most of the songs are in Filipino, a presentation of the Filipino alphabet is most prominent in the songs.
After their first season which centers on katutubong awit and tulang pambata, we can all look forward to their season on Filipino games, dances, food, historical places, and positive Filipino values. They also look forward to the day that they will have a television program and collaborations with lead government agencies who gives premium to the Filipino values system.
Feast Foundation and the members of the Dadadoos deserve a hearty round of applause and congratulations for giving importance and highlighting the beauty and meaning of Filipino folk songs, children’s nursery rhymes, and lullabies, and giving it as a gift to Filipino children to enjoy and cherish.
Follow Feast Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and on YouTube for more updates on The Dadadoos.