The grounds of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) Gymnasium once again transformed into a luminous haven of sound, solidarity, and storytelling last Friday night, December 5, 2025.
It was not just a performance carried by melodies and songs—it was a living tapestry of music and storytelling delivered by major IIT-ian performative groups such as Orions, Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), Octava, and MSU-IIT Wild Cats. Each piece was brought to life with touches of acting that breathed emotion into every lyric, and the stage pulsed even brighter with spirited choreography that danced in perfect harmony with the music.
“Pintig Huninay: Song of Mothers and Cradles” was a concert for a cause that raised funds for the thousands of typhoon Tino and Juan victims in Cebu City. Open to the public, it invited audiences to witness art in music and music in art. Featuring familiar Filipino lullabies rooted in the rich cultural archive of Filipino singsongs like Ili Ili Tulog Anay, Bata Alimahi, Anak, and many more, Pintig Huninay reminded us that the very first songs we ever heard were our mothers’ voices.
The concert sought to convey the love, comfort, and resilience that a mother carries to soothe her child in moments of fear or uncertainty, much like the ache and hardship brought by the never-forgiving typhoons. Pintig Huninay was a performance that revived the songs that once cradled us, inspiring us to cradle others today.
Huninay dancer and actress Johanna G. Ocharon, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Economics student, shared her sentiments, noting that although it was a collaborative performance, each artist was given multiple roles. She stated that she had three pieces overall, instilled with both acting and dancing, and even shared the challenges that helped shape the breathtaking final showcase.
“Challenges kay karon naa koy runny nose and sore throat, and then the last time also na nagperform ko, I landed awkwardly sakong feet, so mura siya’g na strain gamay. Naga-train mi 6 PM onwards, so yeah, lack of sleep, lack of bonding together with other kanang people kay tungod mag practice,” she added.
Ocharon shared that the performance had originally been staged last October and was brought back this time for a cause, with all proceeds going to support the typhoon victims in Cebu. She said that, despite the challenges, all of their hard work was truly worth it.
Reflecting the concert’s nostalgic, close-knit atmosphere, senior high school student Virginia Filaflor S. Baroman from Iligan City National High School expressed her thoughts upon watching, highlighting the portion of the performance she liked most—Bata Alimahi.
“Grabe ka nindot. Worth it akong pagbayad sa VIP na ticket. Worth it jud kaayo. Tapos, akong favorite na part didto kay katong naa siyay baby tapos naay plot twist bitaw nga iyang mama, which is grandma sa baby, kay niduol sa last nga part tas gina protect niya ang iyang anak ug apo from all the black figures,” she shared.
As the dancers slowed their movements, the singers held their notes, and the lights gradually dimmed, the gymnasium was met with rows of applause and praises filled with satisfaction and emotion. Pintig Huninay unfolded the memories of a mother’s love before the audience, leaving them with a deep sense of gratitude for those who cradled us even before we knew who we were. Not only this, but behind the songs and lullabies lies an even greater purpose—for them to calm the hearts of those who have faced the storm.
Written by Jahara Huban
Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero
Photos by Charlize Carvajal
Photo Edit by Ezer Neil Pasco
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