We're honoured to welcome revered Filipino artist and cultural bearer Datu Waway Saway to Magenta House on Sunday 7 September for a special salu-salo (a gathering of shared meals) with Philippines diaspora on Gadigal land.

Join us and Datu (chieftain) Rodelio 'Waway' Saway for an afternoon of food, music and chats as he reflects on his astonishing career as a master artist in bamboo instruments, boat lutes, and soil painting. Hailing from the Talaandig Indigenous tribe of Lantapan, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Waway is a prominent advocate, educator and farmer who is dedicated to preserving and promoting the luminous cultures and values of his communities. Waway upholds the legacy of his distinguished lineage, including his father Datu Kinulintang, a revered chieftain-peacemaker of Mindanao, and brother Datu Migketay, who championed the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act and founded the Philippines' first School of Living Traditions.

Drop in anytime from 3pm-5pm for chats and merienda (light food) and hear Waway impart Indigenous knowledge stories. He will also play a demo of the kubing (bamboo jaw harp), pulala (bamboo flute), and katyapi (two-string boat lute). Limited-edition bamboo flutes will also be for sale at Magenta House, with proceeds going towards Waway’s livelihood.

This is a free social event, tickets are limited.

🎍 Salu-Salo & Bamboo Demo with Waway Saway

📅 Sunday 7 September 2025
⌚ Anytime from 3pm-5pm
🪺 Magenta House, Redfern (address provided to registered attendees)

Information for attendees:

We welcome people who are of Filipino/a/x heritage and are interested in deepening their knowledge of Philippines culture, as well as those those who are from the global diaspora or have synergies with Filipino/a/x cultures. Our intention is to anchor the voices of archipelagic kin through kapwa relations and knowledge-transfers.
We request that each guest bring a light meal or snack offering to share under the spirit of salu-salo and to enable us to keep this event free and communal. Your can either bring home-made or store-bought dishes - whatever is comfortable for you!
Pinoy refreshments and home-made tea will be provided by Magenta House.
Tix are limited to preserve the intimacy and integrity of this homespace convening.
Magenta House Library will be open for readings and reflections - including collections of pre-colonial history, ancestral cooking, poetry, and fiction dedicated to Filipino/x/a stories on display.

Pls contact Mariam on housekeeper@magentahouse.com.au asap if you plan to attend and have queries or dietary requirements or requests.

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Waway will also be performing with the Suwitra Jaya gamelan at Festival of the Winds on Sunday 14 September. More details here. This event is open to everyone, including non-Filipinos. Waway's visit to Australia is in partnership with Sydney Conservatorium of Music PhD candidate and Waway's research collaborator Starr Abelardo.