KUMASA: A Profile

KUMASA is the acronym of Kulturang Ugnayan ng Makabayang Sining Anakpawis (Cultural Alliance of Patriotic and Proletarian Art).

KUMASA is an alliance of workers' cultural groups from various unions in the Southern Tagalog region, Philippines. It held its founding assembly on December 13, 2004 in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Currently, KUMASA has 7 cultural groups which are mostly music choirs. These are:

1. Kulturang Minana sa Sining Anakpawis II (KUMISAP II). Cultural Legacy of Proletarian Art. This is the cultural arm of the RFM-Swift Meat Workers' Union (RFM-SMWU).
2. Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Pangkultura sa Nestle (KAMPANA). Organisation of Cultural Workers in Nestle. It is the cultural arm of the Union of Filipro Employess (UFE) in Nestle in Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines. Presently, the workers are on their 4th year of strike since January 14, 2002.
3. Sining na Umusbong sa Bagong Obrerong Kultura (SUBOK). Art from the New Workers' Culture. SUBOK is the cultural arm of the workers' union in Nissan Motors Philippines Incorporated based in Santa Rosa, Laguna. They are also on their 4th year of strike since October 1, 2001.
4. Sining Laya (Liberation Art). The cultural arm of workers from Philips Semiconductors Philippines Incorporated in Light Industries and Science Park in Calamba, Laguna.
5. Alab. Flame. All-men choir from Keihin Philippines in Laguna Technopark Incorporated in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
6. Sining at Kultura ng mga Anak ng Bayan (SIKLAB). Art and Culture of the Sons of the People. Also an all-men cultural group from Nissin Brake Philippines in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
7. Maso. Mallet. Cultural group from Honda Cars Philippines in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

KUMASA also encourages individual membership in the alliance. At present, KUMASA has individual members from the unions in Sun Ever Lights, FCC and Gunma Gonkin Philippines Corporation.

KUMASA, on 13 October 2005, launched its maiden music album entitled KUMASA: Kamtin Ang Tagumpay! (KUMASA: Seize Victory!). The 12-track album contains most of KUMASA's compositions. What is unique in the album is that it was made, rehearsed and recorded in the workers' picketlines, not in any commercial recording studio.

The tracks included in KUMASA: Kamtin Ang Tagumpay! are the following:

1. Kamtin Ang Tagumpay. (Seize Victory)
2. Kahilingan. (Demand)
3. Wala. (Nothing)
4. Sumulong. (Onward)
5. Bigwas ng Tagumpay (Blow of Victory)
6. P125
7. Makibaka, Huwag Matakot! (Struggle, Have No Fear!)
8. Eskirol. (Scab)
9. Daluyong. (Torrents)
10. Parangal sa mga Rebolusyonaryong Martir. (Tribute to the Revolutionary Martyrs)
11. Lansagin. (Dismantle)
12. Ang Internationale.