# Humanfolk

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World Music group

HUMANFOLK musicians Background information Origin Manila, Philippines Genres World music,[1] Urban folk Years active 2008–present

Musical artist

**HUMANFOLK**[3] began as a [concept album](/source/Concept_album) of guitarist-composer [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) with the multi-instrumentalist [Cynthia Alexander](/source/Cynthia_Alexander) and the [electronica](/source/Electronica) exponent [Malek Lopez](/source/Rubber_inc), along with visiting [New York City](/source/New_York_City)–based participating artists; namely drummer [Roberto Juan Rodriguez](/source/Susie_Ibarra#Mundo_Ni.C3.B1os) and percussionist [Susie Ibarra](/source/Susie_Ibarra).[4] The pioneering effort marked the convergence in a contemporary Philippine setting of multiple musical idioms ([jazz](/source/Jazz), rock, [electronic music](/source/Electronic_music), [kulintang](/source/Kulintang), [agung](/source/Agung) and indigenous percussion, with [Iberian](/source/Iberian_Peninsula) and [folk music](/source/Folk_music) influences). The group's name is a deliberate conjoining of the words "*human"*and *"folk*", akin to "*menfolk*" and "*[womenfolk](/source/Womenfolk)*", without prejudice to gender and frequently set in [all caps](/source/All_caps) to distinguish it from a dictionary term, that evolved afterwards into a [concept band](/source/Concept_band).

## History

The group started as a studio project between jazz and world music musicians in the summer of 2008.[5] The introduction of Alegre, Rodriguez and Ibarra at the United States Embassy in [Manila](/source/Manila) spurred a series of musical and social interactions. The impetus culminated in recordings of a "Humanfolk Suite", a world music cycle composed by Alegre.

Towards October 2008, the threesome of Alegre, Alexander, and Lopez performed a live semi-improvised score for a short, silent film by Sasha Palomares, entitled *Une Femme Andalouse*, which was awarded the KODAK Best 16mm Experimental Film in that year by the [Kodak](/source/Kodak) Filmschool Competition. They were subsequently invited to perform at the 4th Philippine International Jazz & Arts Festival in February 2009, and a live collaborative performance with the Australian [didgeridoo](/source/Didgeridoo) virtuoso [William Barton](/source/William_Barton_(musician)) in January 2010, that also introduced vocalist-keyboardist [Abby Clutario](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuseboxx) as a new principal member of the group. These appearances and many others that followed led to the release by [MCA Music](/source/MCA_Records) ([Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group)) of Humanfolk's eponymous album in May 2011.[6][7]

In 2012, Humanfolk was conferred an [Awit Award](/source/25th_Awit_Awards) for the song "[Para Sa Tao](/source/Para_Sa_Tao)", as Best World Music Recording by the [Philippine Association of the Record Industry](/source/Philippine_Association_of_the_Record_Industry) (PARI).[8] Upon the exodus of two founding members, Cynthia Alexander[9] (for the United States) and Malek Lopez (for Singapore), Alegre and Clutario continued as Humanfolk's principal members in a configuration described as [Mark II](#Mark_II), which was introduced in 2013 before international audiences in Singapore's [Mosaic Music Festival](/source/Mosaic_Music_Festival) and Malaysia's [Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival](/source/List_of_jazz_festivals).[1] In the Philippines, the group performed at the 2nd [CCP](/source/Cultural_Center_of_the_Philippines) International Jazz Festival in September 2013,[5][10][11] and recorded the promotional [EP](/source/Extended_play), *Ephipany*. In January 2015, the group performed in India at the [Saarang International Cultural Festival](/source/Saarang)[12] organized by [IIT Madras](/source/IIT_Madras). Towards the end of 2015, the group was joined by vocalist and rhythm guitarist [Kris Gorra Dancel](/source/Cambio_(band));[13] and session percussionist Deej Rodriguez. This expanded group, described as [Mark III](#Mark_III), recorded the year-end [extended play](/source/Extended_play) *Naglalarong Ilaw*, an independent release.

As a fitting counterpoint to HUMANFOLK's performance in November 2010 when they were launched at the [Ayala Museum](/source/Ayala_Museum)[14][15] — the music of HUMANFOLK was once again presented in a 2-hour Ayala Museum retrospective concert in November 2023, entitled "*Indigenous Legacies*"[16] hosted by the [Filipinas Heritage Library](/source/Ayala_Museum#Educational_centers).[17][18]

## Personnel

### Eponymous 1st album

- [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) – guitars, [bungkaka](/source/Bungkaka), piano, [tambourine](/source/Tambourine), vocals

- [Cynthia Alexander](/source/Cynthia_Alexander) – guitars, [bass](/source/Double_bass), [agung](/source/Agung), vocals, [bungkaka](/source/Bungkaka), [tongatong](/source/Tongatong)

- [Malek Lopez](/source/Rubber_inc) – computer, [sound design](/source/Sound_design), keyboards

- Roberto Juan Rodriguez – drum kit, [cajón](/source/Caj%C3%B3n), [bongos](/source/Bongos)

- [Susie Ibarra](/source/Susie_Ibarra) – [kulintang](/source/Kulintang), [kulintang a kayo](/source/Kulintang_a_kayo), drum kit, vocals and [handclaps](/source/Handclaps)

- Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, [Chapman Stick](/source/Chapman_Stick)

### Mark II

- [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) – guitars, percussion, vocals

- Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, [Chapman Stick](/source/Chapman_Stick)

- Yuna Reguerra (1) – [bass](/source/Double_bass)

- Rodney Vidanes (2) – [bass](/source/Double_bass)

- Paolo Manuel (1) – drums

- Zach Lucero (2) – drums

### Mark III

- [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) – guitars, percussion, vocals

- [Kris Gorra Dancel](/source/Cambio_(band)) – vocals, rhythm guitar,

- Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards, [Chapman Stick](/source/Chapman_Stick)

- Rodney Vidanes – [bass](/source/Double_bass)

- Zach Lucero – drums

- [Malek Lopez](/source/Rubber_inc) – computer, [sound design](/source/Sound_design), keyboards

- Deej Rodriguez – percussion

### Mark IV

- [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) – guitars, percussion, vocals

- [Kris Gorra Dancel](/source/Cambio_(band)) – vocals, rhythm guitar,

- [Abby Clutario](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuseboxx) – vocals, keyboards, [Chapman Stick](/source/Chapman_Stick)

- Tusa Montes[19] – [kulintang](/source/Kulintang), [sarunai](/source/Kulintang_a_tiniok), percussion

### Mark V

- [Johnny Alegre](/source/Johnny_Alegre) – guitars, percussion, vocals

- Abby Clutario – vocals, keyboards

- Tusa Montes – [Maguindanao](/source/Maguindanao_people) percussion

- Mlou Matute – [Kalinga-Apayao](/source/Kalinga-Apayao) percussion

- Yan Bagay Cruz – bass

- Paolo Manuel – drums

- Eric Tubon – electronic percussion

## Discography

Year Title Label Type 2011 Humanfolk[20] MCA Universal Studio album 2011 "Para sa Tao" (radio edit) MCA Universal Single 2014 Epiphany[21] Independently released Extended play 2015 Naglalarong Ilaw Independently released Extended play

## Videography

Title Musicians Director Producer Category Year Country Para Sa Tao[22] Abby Clutario, vocals, keyboards & Chapman Stick ♦ Johnny Alegre, acoustic guitar ♦ Cynthia Alexander, bass ♦ Malek Lopez, electronics Daphne Oliveros PH AFFINITY Productions music video 2011 Philippines Hexagram II[23] Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Frances Escapé, percussion Perth Salva PH AFFINITY Productions live in the studio 2013 Philippines Himig Ng Pasko[24] Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars & percussion ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums JM Quiblat PH AFFINITY Productions music video 2014 Philippines Naglalarong Ilaw[25] Kris Gorra Dancel, vocals & rhythm guitar ♦ Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & harmonies ♦ Rodney Vidanes, bass ♦ Zach Lucero, drums ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion Phillip Miguel Luis & Lycylle Bianca Tse Cawaling PH AFFINITY Productions music video 2015 Philippines Indiemand[26][27] Johnny Alegre, guitars ♦ Abby Clutario, keyboards & vocals ♦ Deej Rodriguez, percussion Pamela Carbonell The Filipino Channel[28] music video 2019 Philippines

## Awards

Year Award giving body Venue Category Nominated work Results 2012 25th Awit Awards Glorietta Best World Music Recording Para Sa Tao Won 2012 25th Awit Awards Glorietta Best Jazz Recording Para Sa Tao Nominated

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aaj_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aaj_1-1) ["Humanfolk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506093813/https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/humanfolk). *[All About Jazz](/source/All_About_Jazz)*. Archived from [the original](http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/humanfolk) on May 6, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Deej Rodriguez"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506094032/https://tycoonpercussion.com/artist/deej-rodriguez/). Archived from [the original](https://tycoonpercussion.com/artist/deej-rodriguez/) on May 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Human + Folk = Pinoy World Music"](https://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/cokemusicstudio/human-folk-pinoy-world-music-070811280.html). *ph.news.yahoo.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Epiphany of Humanfolk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141224050456/http://rogue.ph/features/2013/1/28/64zegimb1w5ewd31huyfm6yacuzeqg). *[Rogue Magazine Philippines](/source/Rogue_(magazine))*. Rogue Media Inc. January 31, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://rogue.ph/features/2013/1/28/64zegimb1w5ewd31huyfm6yacuzeqg) on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yahoo_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yahoo_5-1) ["2nd CCP International Jazz Festival to be held from September 17–22"](https://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/photos/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-slideshow/humanfolk-photo-1378968451120.html). [Yahoo! Celebrity Philippines](/source/Yahoo!). September 12, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Albano, Lou (May 11, 2011). ["Humanfolk Rhapsody"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141224043955/http://statusmagonline.com/humanfolk-album-launch/). Status Magazine. Archived from [the original](http://statusmagonline.com/humanfolk-album-launch/) on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Music Review: Humanfolk by Humanfolk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175808/http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/music/article/7650). [FHM Philippines](/source/FHM). May 12, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.fhm.com.ph/entertainment/music/article/7650) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["MCA music artists honored at 25th Awit Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100027/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/70657/mca-music-artists-honored-at-25th-awit-awards). *[Philippine Daily Inquirer](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer)*. [Philippines](/source/Philippines). December 5, 2012. Archived from [the original](http://entertainment.inquirer.net/70657/mca-music-artists-honored-at-25th-awit-awards) on May 6, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Bautista, Christian Brazil (June 23, 2012). ["Cynthia Alexander's intimate send-off"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506100412/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/53821/cynthia-alexanders-intimate-send-off/). *[Philippine Daily Inquirer](/source/Philippine_Daily_Inquirer)*. [Philippines](/source/Philippines). Archived from [the original](http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/53821/cynthia-alexanders-intimate-send-off) on May 6, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Johnny Alegre brings Jazz further on Radar"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155545/http://www.mb.com.ph/johnny-alegre-brings-jazz-further-on-radar/). *[Manila Bulletin](/source/Manila_Bulletin)*. [Philippines](/source/Philippines). September 11, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.mb.com.ph/johnny-alegre-brings-jazz-further-on-radar/) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["2nd CCP International Jazz Festival to be held from September 17–22"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094231/http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-2/). [Cultural Center of the Philippines](/source/Cultural_Center_of_the_Philippines). August 28, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/press-room/2nd-ccp-international-jazz-festival-to-be-held-from-september-17-22-2/) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ncca_12-0)** ["Humanfolk launches "Countdown to Saarang""](https://web.archive.org/web/20141224025944/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=6231). *[National Commission for Culture and the Arts](/source/National_Commission_for_Culture_and_the_Arts_(Philippines))*. NCCA. October 20, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=6231) on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Music Industry Professionals Discover New Music the Old Way"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506101007/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/music-industry-professionals-discover-new-music-the-old-way-a1502-20180818-lfrm). *Esquiremag.ph*. Archived from [the original](https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/music-industry-professionals-discover-new-music-the-old-way-a1502-20180818-lfrm) on May 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ayala_Museum_14-0)** ["Jazz at Ayala Museum"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231214032812/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2010/11/15/629787/jazz-ayala-museum). *philstar.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2010/11/15/629787/jazz-ayala-museum) on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-JOHNNY_ALEGRE_HUMANFOLK_15-0)** ["+ Follow JOHNNY ALEGRE HUMANFOLK Tag"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231214034137/https://www.philstar.com/tags/johnny-alegre-humanfolk). *philstar.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.philstar.com/tags/johnny-alegre-humanfolk) on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FHL_16-0)** ["JEEPNEY JAZZ: INDIGENOUS LEGACIES"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231213033049/https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news-updates/jeepney-jazz/). *filipinaslibrary.org.ph*. Archived from [the original](https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news-updates/jeepney-jazz/) on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CNN_17-0)** ["Listen to OPM classics played with the kulintang"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231213050838/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/leisure/the-guide/2023/11/16/things-to-do-nov-16-to-21.html). *cnnphilippines.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/leisure/the-guide/2023/11/16/things-to-do-nov-16-to-21.html) on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Business_World_18-0)** ["Filipinas Heritage Library tackles jazz"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231213054444/https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2023/09/27/547817/artsculture-09-27-23/). *bworldonline.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2023/09/27/547817/artsculture-09-27-23/) on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Montes, Tusa. ["Music Festivals in the Philippines: Tropicality, Identity, Cosmopolitanism"](https://jfmo.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Art-Archive-3_HiRes.pdf) (PDF). *Art Archive 03*. The Japan Foundation Manila: 78.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Humanfolk Rhapsody"](http://statusmagonline.com/?p=21699). *Status Mag*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Arcellana, Juaniyo (November 3, 2014). ["Chennai, Memphis, Bavaria"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180915071801/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2014/11/03/1386910/chennai-memphis-bavaria). *[The Philippine Star](/source/The_Philippine_Star)*. Philippines. Archived from [the original](http://www.philstar.com/arts-and-culture/2014/11/03/1386910/chennai-memphis-bavaria) on September 15, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [*HUMANFOLK: "Para Sa Tao" (Music Video)*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckFjbv73jbE)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [*\[Perthman Mobile\] HUMANFOLK – Hexagram 2*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFyIoTUqNQ)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [*HUMANFOLK: "Himig Ng Pasko" (Music Video)*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_x7IuiMOqo)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [*HUMANFOLK: "Naglalarong Ilaw" (Music Video)*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27NqxN0tGKk)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [*TFC Original Indiemand Humanfolk*](https://vimeo.com/293266156)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [*Indiemand – Human Folk | TFC QuaranThings*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ujXxxr_EA)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["iWantTFC"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210506103513/https://tfc.tv/). *TFC*. Archived from [the original](https://tfc.tv/) on May 6, 2021.

## External links

- [Humanfolk's channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcys8G3Q30gXm6Z9GkT_Sw) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_channel_(identifier))

- [Humanfolk](https://www.last.fm/music/Humanfolk) at [Last.fm](/source/Last.fm)

- [Humanfolk on All About Jazz](http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/humanfolk)

- [Humanfolk on ReverbNation](https://www.reverbnation.com/humanfolk)

- [Johnny Alegre with Danongan Kalanduyan](https://archive.org/details/calauem_003608)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Humanfolk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanfolk) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanfolk?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.