Joey Ayala’s music are as unique as the instruments he uses. He is pictured here holding a Hegalong – a native musical instrument from Mindanao. (Photo: www.eugeneweekly.com)

Jose Iñigo Homer Lacambra Ayala , popularly known as Joey Ayala is a Filipino contemporary pop musician and poet. He was born in Camp Philips , Bukidnon on June 1, 1956. He, together with his band Bagong Lumad, is widely known for revolutionizing Filipino alternative music by combining the sounds of the country’s ethnic instruments with modern pop style. Ayala’s career took off in 1982 when he released an album recorded in an improvised studio.

Above, the legend is holding a Kubing or mouth harp, another musical instrument that could be frequently heard on Joey Ayala’s music (Photo: www.philmusicregistry.net)

Ayala is a multi-instrumentalist. Some of the indigenous instruments he plays include the Hegalong, the Kulintang, and the Kubing. The Hegalong is a two-stringed guitar-like instrument used by the T’Boli people of Mindanao. The Kulintang as an 8-piece gong set of the predominantly Muslims of the southern part of the Philippines. The Kubing is a bamboo jaw harp of Mindanao which produces a vast number of sounds and timbres. In addition Ayala also uses modern instruments such as the electric guitar, the bass guitar, and drums in his music.

Messages of social and cultural development are always accentuated in the music of this multi-awarded multi-Instrumentalist. (Photo: www.panitikan.com.ph)

Joey Ayala emphasizes on incorporating messages of social and cultural development in his music. He has always been active in promoting the arts as a potent force towards change in the society. He has also been involved in non formal education by running workshops in the various parts of the country.

For his outstanding achievement in the Philippine Music scene as well as his unrelenting efforts to preserve the Filipino culture and well being, Joey Ayala has received numerous awards.

But beyond all the honor and achievements of this rare genius is a sincere and true person. Joey Ayala has conquered almost every barrier and has shown to people from all walks of life that music possesses a true essence.