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Tambayan: Archiving Community Memories of Sound

a group of people sitting in a circle, smiling to the camera
  • Written byCreative Research in Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP)
  • Published date 29 January 2026
a group of people sitting in a circle, smiling to the camera
CRiSAP Workshop, Casa San Miguel, 2025. Photographer: Ivy A. Claudio

CRiSAP (Creative Research in Sound Arts Practice) has recently embarked on a long-term global collaboration with Professor Dayang Yraola, a curator based at the College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines.

The first stage of this collaboration involved research and knowledge exchange activities in the Philippines during August 2025. CRiSAP director Mark Peter Wright and Emerita Prof Cathy Lane took part along with two current PhD students, Miriam Elgon and Cannach MacBride. In addition, researchers from Hong Kong Baptist University, RMIT Melbourne and Filipino artists contributed to a network of interdisciplinary practice that crossed sound art, pedagogy, anthropology and ethnomusicology.

a sketchpad open with a black line drawing
Miriam Elgon-Listening and drawing fieldwork-2025-Photographer-Terssa Barrozo

Based in the San Antonio, Zambales region of the Philippines the research had two central objectives achieved through fieldwork activities and workshops:

  • To work with local community groups in relation to sound, memory and place.
  • To develop and deliver the first sound archive for the local community.
A group of women talking
San Miguel Women Fish Vendors Inc- 2025- Photographer- Terssa Barrozo

The Filipino (Tagalog) term “Tambayan” (to gather in a place), inspired the daily research methodology that involved sitting-down with locals in everyday places such as the church, market, fish port, beach, school and town hall. Conversations moved between individual and collective sonic memories, and addressed the past and future regarding climate, politics, livelihoods and well-being. These themes link directly to our Sound, History and Memory research strand.

two people sitting back-to-back
CRiSAP Workshop Casa San Miguel 2025 Photographer- Benjamin Meamo III

During the visit, listening workshops were delivered by CRiSAP to primary and high school students and teachers. Class resources and modules were handed over as part of the tangible impact of the project. Presentations were also given to a public audience with an exhibition of the overall process hosted by Casa San Miguel in December 2025.

We are currently preparing a London research phase in 2026. To keep in touch about this or any of our research activities and events, join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram.

This project is supported by: Philippines National Commission for Culture and the Arts, British Council and LCC International Office, University of Arts London.

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