The Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts is a non-profit, non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1994. It was founded by artists, educators, social workers, and culture enthusiasts Grace Nono, Roberto Aves, Antonio Buencamino, Alex Cruz, Virginia Gapuz and Roscelle Leah Rivera. The Tao Foundation was established with the following, among its primary objectives:

1
 To research, document, promote and help develop the various indigenous cultural and artistic traditions of the Philippines.
2
 To disseminate and make available to the public the fruits of research through education, publications, and the mass media.
3
 To develop art-forms and cultural implements that strengthen the Philippine cultural identity.
4
 To establish linkages between artists, cultural workers, cultural communities, government and non-government agencies, the private and business sector.
5
 To encourage fellow-Filipinos to preserve cultural traditions while assisting them with tools for survival through education and various community initiatives.

At the moment, the Tao Foundation has three ongoing programs, namely:

I. The Philippine Indigenous Music Series which has so far published audio and printed materials on Maguindanaon kulintang music; Maranao epic chanting and instrumental music; Hanunuo Mangyan instrumental music and chanted poetry; Manobo, Higaonon, and Banwaon cultural music; and the epic chanting and instrumental music of the T'boli people (pls. see the Tao Music pages);

II. The Asian Arts Workshop which mounts lecture-demonstrations on Philippine music and arts;

III. The Scholarships for the Youth of Cultural Communities Program. This Scholarship Program started in 1999 with the aim of helping to send to high school or college, students originating from Philippine cultural communities, who are gifted, well-versed, or currently receiving training in traditional cultural expressions, and who are interested and qualified to begin or continue secondary or tertiary-level education from institutions of formal education. The vision is for these youth to themselves become future cultural leaders and agents in the preservation, transmission, and further development of indigenous culture, while having the power to cope with the larger society through skills learned from the system of formal education. Eligibility for the scholarships are as follows:

1
 Both Applicant's parents are members of Philippine cultural communities;
2
 Applicant is residing in a cultural community or near it;
3
 Talent(s) in traditional culture expressions like folk speech, folk songs, folk narratives,
epics, dance, playing of traditional musical instruments, writing indigenous script,
weaving, and other crafts;
4
 Average Grade of at least 80;
5
 Applicant's Parents are indigent;
6
 Physical Examination to show no debilitating illness.

We have three kinds of scholarships, each depending on the performance of each student per semester or school year, and whether or not he or she is able to avail of other forms of educational assistance from other sources. These are, Full Scholarships which cover full tuition fees; Partial Scholarships which cover 50% of tuition fees; and Grants In Aid which avail students minimal amounts for living expenses. Our scholarships are renewable every semester or school year upon the satisfaction of academic and non-academic requirements.

Retention Criteria include:

1
 Average Maintenence of 80, with no grade lower than 78;
2
 Continuous growth in study of indigenous culture and arts;
3
 Compliance in the submission of reports;
4
 Compliance in the submission of official receipts and similar documents;
5
 Compliance in the specified community service activity.

As of this date, we are supporting four high school students from Oriental Mindoro and four college students from the Cordilleras. They are:

Name Year Level Course School Cultural Community

1
 Bernalyn Albin; 3rd Year College; BS in Elementary Education; Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet; Ibaloi
2
 Jozelle Versoza; 3rd Year College; BS Commerce; St. Louis University, Baguio City; Ibaloi
3
 Randy Duping; 3rd Year College; BS Engineering; Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet; Ibaloi
4
 Loraine Tanawe; 3rd Year College, BS in Elementary Education; St. Louis University, Baguio City; Ifugao
5
 Zaqueo Bat-ang, 2nd Year HS; Manaul National High School, Oriental Mindoro; Hanunuo Mangyan
6
 Oliboy Basa, 1st Year HS; San Roque National High School, Oriental Mindoro; Hanunuo Mangyan
7
 Mae Agayhay; 2nd Year HS; Manaul National High School, Oriental Mindoro; Hanunuo Mangyan
8
 Anilyn Sagangsang; 1st Year HS; Mangyan Education Center, Oriental Mindoro; Hanunuo Mangyan


Sponsors for this Scholarship Program have so far included Tao Music (portion of proceeds from CD & booklet sales), the AY Foundation, Grace Nono, Bob Aves, Antonio Buencamino, Alicia Bernal, CONCERN, the Rotary Club of Taguig-Ft. Bonifacio, Renaud Fessaguet, and Maella Jose.


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email us @ taomusic@skyinet.net