Introduction to Kulintang: A Living Tradition

Promotional Postcard for Kulintang Workshop 5/9/2026

Step into the resonant sound of Kulintang,
a traditional gong-based music from the Southern Philippines.

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to kulintang through foundational rhythms, ensemble playing, and cultural context rooted in communication, community, and celebration. No prior experience is needed.

✨ What You’ll Experience

• Hands-on introduction to kulintang gong instruments

• Foundational rhythmic patterns and ensemble playing

• Cultural and historical context of kulintang traditions

• A welcoming, intergenerational learning environment

You will not only learn how to play —you will learn how to listen, respond, and be in rhythm with others.

✨ A Different Kind of Workshop

The Manilatown Ancestral program is not simply a class. It is a Community of Practice — a living space for learning, practicing, and carrying forward pre-colonial Philippine music and dance traditions.

Rooted in respect, humility, and perseverance, participants are invited into a relationship:

• with heritage knowledge

• with embodied discipline

• with community and shared responsibility

Kulintang music teaches us to listen deeply, to lead and follow in balance, and to move in harmony with others. This is not about performance alone. It is about continuity.

🌱 Rooted in Place: The International Hotel & Manilatown

This workshop takes place at the International Hotel Manilatown Center, a historic site of Filipino American community life, cultural expression, and perseverance. Once home to generations of Filipino elders who built community in the face of displacement, the I-Hotel remains a living space where culture is not only remembered — but actively practiced and carried forward. To learn kulintang here is to engage in a continuum of history, community, and cultural stewardship.

🌱 Community-Supported Access

This workshop is offered as a gift to the community, in the spirit of service, balance, and shared responsibility. No one is turned away for lack of funds. Those who are able are invited to contribute to help sustain the work. Your presence matters.Your support helps this living tradition continue.

🎟 Reserve Your Spot

Space is limited to support a focused and interactive experience. Advance registration is required.

👉 Register Here at Eventbrite

🌺 About Manilatown Heritage Foundation

The Manilatown Heritage Foundation safeguards and activates the living cultural legacy of San Francisco’s Historic Manilatown and the International Hotel through arts, education, and community programs.

Our Manilatown Ancestral program is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov. Manilatown Ancestral is also made possible by the generous support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, Asian Pacific Fund, and San Francisco Grants for the Arts.

For more information about Manilatown Academy, the Manilatown Ancestral program, or the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, please contact us at: mhf@manilatown.org