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Deeply rooted in heritage and culture, the Stanford Taiko ensemble expresses art through powerful, modern sound
Seeing a taiko [big drum] performance, especially by the collegiate ensemble Stanford Taiko, can be an exhilarating and infectious theatrical performance. Every time the bachi [pair of sticks] hits the cowhide cover of a nagado daiko [long-body drum], a cast member grooves, smiles, and catches the attention of the audience in certain instances with their distinctive kiai [short shout].
In some songs, one steps to the centre stage with a katsugi oke daiko [stave-body drum] slinging around their body to lead the ensemble in giving the audience a different flavour. In Stanford Taiko, this responsibility often befell mechanical engineering graduate Liam Ramos, who undoubtedly impressed his grandmother Virgie Sian-Ramos, president of Swatch Philippines, during the group’s performance at Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 last June 29.
Above Liam Ramos with his peers in Stanford Taiko performing at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Liam Ramos with his peers in Stanford Taiko performing at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Later that day, Stanford Taiko went on to perform at the special dinner hosted by the Stanford Club of the Philippines at the North Forbes Park Pavilion, where alumni of Stanford University currently living in the Philippines, as well as incoming freshmen, were invited. Ramos, during the talkback after the performance, admitted how poignant and significant this Thailand-Philippines 2024 tour was for him as it was one of his last performances as a regular cast member of the ensemble.
Prior to his graduation, Ramos’s typical day in school would begin by waking up at 8.30am to do school work until 5pm. He would return home to either skip or have dinner while doing homework, then go to taiko practice from 7.45pm until 11pm. He would go to the engineering lab after that and work with his friend, fellow Stanford Taiko member, and project buddy Dylan Win “to work on a robot that doesn’t work”. Go home, sleep, then repeat. Everything about that would have to change now, but as he steps into the corporate world, he brings with him his fond memories from the esteemed university that served as his home for four years and taught him how to play drums.
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Above Miggy Silva, an aeronautics and astronautics student at the Stanford University, also a Filipino member of the Stanford Taiko (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Above Stanford Taiko member Teisha Nishimitsu, a biology student at the Stanford University (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Miggy Silva, an aeronautics and astronautics student at the Stanford University, also a Filipino member of the Stanford Taiko (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Being part of a collegiate performing arts group, particularly Stanford Taiko, allows many students of Stanford University to have a dynamic, creative, and fun student life. Contrary to the initial thoughts of some North Forbes Park Pavilion attendees gathered by the Stanford Club of the Philippines, members of the collegiate taiko group can maintain excelling in academics while exploring as well their creative side, as Stanford Taiko faculty co-advisors Stephen Sano and Linda Uyechi attest. More than that, it is also one way for students of mixed or foreign roots to discover and understand this rich Asian American art form that boasts deeply rooted cultural ties.
“Taiko as an art form began in Japan that has taken a new North American style, which we, the Stanford Taiko, play,” explained philosophy and psychology graduate DJ Rufino Maceda, the group’s performance director who is also a proud Filipino currently taking his master’s degree at Stanford University.
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“Stanford Taiko is the second oldest collegiate taiko group in the US, formed in 1992, and is entirely student-run,” Maceda continued. “Since its conception, it has been consensus-based with the students actively involved in decision-making and teaching of the repertoire.”
The members and alums all looked forward to the group’s debut in Manila following Stanford Taiko’s three-day tour in Thailand. The ensemble first toured Thailand in 2004, then returned in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017. Thanks to the efforts of the American-Thai Foundation, the Yonok Foundation, and Dr Nirund Jivasantikarn, the Stanford Taiko was well-received at True Digital Park along Sukhumvit Road, at the Recreation Hall in Lampang and the EC Cort Auditorium of Payap University in Chiang Mai. However, for many, this leg introduced the Philippines to many of the group’s recruits.
“We are equally indebted to the Ramos and Maceda families for their wonderful support of our Philippine tour,” reads Stanford Taiko’s programme brochure. “Indeed, we embark on this tour with the deepest thanks and appreciation for all our sponsors’ tireless work on our behalf,” the collective statement continues.
Above ‘Aces Full’. Composed by Christopher Fajardo (2010). Arranged by Emily Huang
Stanford Taiko’s repertoire for its tour’s Manila leg included Amaterasu, a 1993 composition by Ann Ishimaru and Zach Smoke. It tells the story of a Shinto Sun goddess getting upset and hiding in a cave, thus enveloping the Earth with darkness. The piece evokes enticing, raucous sounds meant to appease the goddess, emerge from the cave, and bring dazzling feelings of warmth and joy once more. They also performed the 2010 composition Aces Full of their Filipino alum, Christopher Fajardo. This one felt like an unpredictable game of cards where particular members had their each shining moment.
But what truly enlivened the audience were Teisha Nishimitsu and Kangrui Xue’s Blossoms in the Storm—a 2023 composition that highlights cherry blossoms’ dynamism and energy when fluttering in the sky amid a storm—and Tatsumaki by Hiroshi Tanaka—a classic 1994 composition that spotlights the ensemble’s riveting circular movements that render the harmonious discord of a swirling storm, rippling outwards with powerful gusts of wind.
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Above DJ Rufino Maceda performing with the Stanford Taiko at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
DJ Rufino Maceda performing with the Stanford Taiko at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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In between performances, the ensemble would do some quick numbers to musically accompany the transitions of the numbers, which some members would use to re-arrange the instruments.
The group has around 30 members, but unfortunately, only about 16 to 18 made it to the tour. Nevertheless, Stanford Taiko delivered an exhilarating experience for the public and their fellow Cardinals.
“North American taiko has become very distinct from Japanese taiko as a very modern art form and came to the point that we welcome everyone who walks into the auditions regardless of racial backgrounds,” Maceda clarified. Meanwhile, Stanford Taiko member Elena Atluri explained that while Japanese taiko is more seen in local community events like rituals and theatrical productions, North American taiko is more of an ensemble playing of performative modern pieces. Most, if not all, of the songs Stanford Taiko performs are originally composed by alums and current group members.
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Above Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Above Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Above Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Above Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Snippets from the Stanford Taiko performance at the North Forbes Park Pavilion (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Sano later explained that even the most ignorant of drumming can succeed as a full-fledged Stanford Taiko member as the senior members diligently conduct rigorous training for everyone. Emily Huang, a member of the Stanford Taiko who served as auditions coordinator, mentioned later during talkback that they help their new members find their rhythm and be creative in exploring this art form.
“We see it as a strength of taiko that it can spread and hold on by having Asian American, American, and Asian members—a sign of how much it has transformed over the decades in North America into a distinctive art form,” Maceda said.
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Above The Stanford Taiko performance at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
The Stanford Taiko performance at the Ayala Malls Greenbelt 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Indeed, the diversity and inclusivity within the Stanford Taiko group reflect that of the university, allowing students to be more well-versed and fully engaged in collaborating despite varying cultural backgrounds.
This diverse environment at Stanford University also helps the taiko group to connect with their audiences more effectively. Jackson Whitt, another member of the taiko group, shared how much he enjoys seeing the positive reactions of audiences during each of their performances and how they bounce off from that. “It’s really about communication, which I find very enjoyable. Taiko is a very communal art form that, to make each performance successful, we must be able to communicate our energy with the audience through the drums, our kiai, and glances at each other,” he said.
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Above Stanford Taiko with two incoming Stanford University freshmen, and the Stanford Club of the Philippines, composed of the esteemed university’s alumni and friends (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
Stanford Taiko with two incoming Stanford University freshmen, and the Stanford Club of the Philippines, composed of the esteemed university’s alumni and friends (Photo: Courtesy of Stanford Club of the Philippines)
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Founded by Ann Ishimaru and Valerie Mih in 1992 after being inspired by a class taught by Susan Hayase, a former San Jose Taiko member, Stanford Taiko thrived through the decades, producing annual concerts of original works and domestic and international tours. As part of the ever-expanding network of collegiate taiko groups, Stanford Taiko has earned the reputation of being a sought-after performing arts group and founding leader of the Inter-collegiate Taiko Invitational.
As every Stanford Taiko performance is marked by harmonious and rhythmic sounds evoked with wide smiles, a sense of joy and enthusiasm sparks among audiences that make each song memorable. And though Ramos and other recently graduated Stanford Taiko members find this tour as one of their lasts, their hearts will continue to sing and dance to the beat of the drums.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
