Ye Gas

Before I left Photographer Jacob Maentz in Siquijor, I told him the next stop on my trip was to visit the T’Boli community. They live in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

He told me, “Look for a Filipina chanter named Ye Gas.”

Little did I know, my T’Boli host already had it in mind to introduce me to a chanter. When I met her, it just so happened to be the very same person Jacob told me about. 

Ye Gas is small in human form, but wields a very large, powerful voice that goes right to the core.

Similar to the healer I encountered in Siquijor, the songs come to her and she sings. Often times, she spontaneously creates her chants in real time, influenced by the events, people and feelings that are with her in that moment.

Since she started chanting over 40 years ago, all other chanters in her community have since passed away. She alone carries this precious tradition forward. 

I invite you to share in this special moment with Ye Gas, and listen to her transport you to the Philippines Islands through chanting.

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