KONTRA-GAPI MOUNTS SUCCESSFUL MAIDEN CONCERT IN MOROCCO
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of Philippine-Moroccan relations proved to be one of the highlights of Rabat's cultural calendar in June. Performing especially for this milestone event was the Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi), a Filipino performing arts ensemble from the University of the Philippines.
Some 300 plus guests from the diplomatic corps, Moroccan society, and the vibrant Filipino community packed the art deco-style Salle Bahnini to watch Kontra-GaPi perform a concert that infused indigenous instruments, dance, chant, and ritual into performances that were both timeless and contemporary, mystical, and grounded.
Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja was beaming with pride after the rousing performance which was met with incessant applause leading to a standing ovation at the end. Baja said “I am told that Rabat has not seen this kind of performance before. Kontra-GaPi was able to connect with the audience, everyone was captivated by their numbers that blended pre-colonial traditions with modern creativity.”
The concert also featured a Gnaoua musical performance by Moroccan artist and composer Mr. Mourad Belouadi followed by a collaborative number between Kontra-GaPi and Belouadi’s group, a veritable dialogue between two cultures. Gnaoua music combines African, Berber and Arabic influences, featuring rhythmic drums, castanets and the three-stringed bass instrument called Guembri.
In his remarks prior to the concert, Ambassador Baja noted that both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and King Mohammed VI, in their congratulatory letters to each other on the occasion of the 50th anniversary, reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening relations for the mutual benefit of the Philippines and Morocco. The Moroccan Guest of Honor for the event was H.E. Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. In his remarks, he described the Philippines as an “amazing gateway to Southeast Asia” and that there was great potential for collaboration between the two countries in terms of trade and business, tourism and agriculture.
The Philippine Embassy in Rabat has lined up a series of activities marking this anniversary. In February, an exhibit of Philippine weaves was mounted by renowned Filipino artists Al Valenciano and Len Cabili. Commemorative stamps were launched in April featuring the airport terminals of Cebu and Marrakech, highlighting the modernist societies of the two countries. A book highlighting the length and breadth of Philippine-Moroccan relations is due to be released by the end of 2025.
When asked how he felt about the bilateral relations, Ambassador Baja expressed optimism given the shared values of peace and prosperity of both countries. He added that the presence of about 4,000 Filipinos in Morocco, the biggest in Africa, will be a strong foundation in the years to come. END
