Uwang Ahadas

Uwang Ahadas was born on February 15, 1945.[3] He went near blind when he was five years old. People in his community believed that this was due to retribution of nature spirits which lived in Bohe Libaken, a creek where Ahadas frequently bathed in. Ahadas along with his sibling musicians were taught how to play Yakan traditional instruments as children. He first learned how to play the gabbang, a wooden bamboo instrument similar to the xylophone then learned how to play the agung[4] an instrument traditionally played by Yakan men.[2]

By age 20, Ahadas had already mastered the kwintangan which is considered as the most important Yakan musical instrument despite the instrument being traditionally reserved for women.[2] He could also play the tuntungan.[5]

Ahadas taught his children how to play Yakan traditional instruments, including Darna who would later become a teacher of these traditions herself. Ahadas went on to promote these traditions outside his native town of Lamitan, Basilan.[4]

Ahadas was recognized as a National Living Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in the year 2000.[6] He died on October 29, 2022, at the age of 77.[7]