On April 25, 2025, at 9:00 AM, the Iligan Medical Center College Review Center became the venue for the historic launch of Dr. Helen S. Tejero’s book, My Musical Journey of Central Mindanao. With the theme “Harmonizing Heritage: Celebrating the Musical Journey of Central Mindanao,” this significant event spotlighted cultural preservation and musical scholarship in the region. The launch was sponsored by Iligan Medical Centre College, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Hulma Creatives and Collectives, under the overall chairmanship of Prof. Kathreen Van Solatario, IMCC Librarian. Leebert Robiato and  Reymark Nuevas designed the Tarpaulins and the video presentations.

Dr. Teresita Ilago introduced Dr. Tejero, recounting their shared history as collaborators during the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in the 1980s. Together, they brought choirs from Lanao del Norte and Iligan City to perform at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, with Dr. Tejero arranging ethnic songs for competitions and accompanying choral and solo performances for both Lanao del Norte and Iligan City performers.

In her remarks, Dr. Tejero reflected on a remarkable musical journey spanning 44 years, from 1981 to 2025. Her exploration of Central Mindanao’s rich musical heritage encompassed five provinces and three cities within Region XII: the Maranao communities of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Marawi, and Iligan; the Maguindanao of Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Cotabato City; the Dulangan Manobo of Kulaman Valley in Sultan Kudarat; the Kulamanon Manobo of Cotabato; the Teduray of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao; the T’boli of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato; and the Higaonon of Iligan City. This documentation, completed from 1981 to 2000, laid the foundation for her subsequent contributions.

In 2001, following Iligan’s administrative transfer to Northern Mindanao, Dr. Tejero became the regional music supervisor for Region X. For 14 years (2001–2015), she conducted music seminars and workshops nationwide in partnership with the University of the Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd). Upon her retirement from DepEd, she joined Iligan Medical Center College as Dean of Education and later as Research Director—a position she continues to hold. Throughout this period, she developed music modules with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

In 2023, Dr. Tejero submitted her manuscript for publication under the mentorship of Dr. Felicidad Prudente, a leading ethnomusicologist from the University of the Philippines. After two years of preparation, the book was finally published in 2025, cementing Dr. Tejero’s legacy as a champion of musical heritage and cultural education.

Ms. Anita T. Sescon, Executive Director of Hulma Iligan and former Director of the Iligan City Culture and Arts Council and Tourism Officer, moderated a thought-provoking panel discussion on the event’s theme. Panelists included luminaries in the field of cultural and musical heritage:

• Faina Ulindang, faculty member at Xavier University and IMCC, emphasized the importance of cultural communities in Philippine history and their invaluable contributions to preserving heritage.
• Zayda Onayan Macarambon, Chair of Traditional Music of Hulma Iligan and retired MSU-IIT professor, spoke about the urgent need to reconnect Filipinos with their rich cultural legacy amidst Western influences, recognizing Indigenous communities as vital guardians of authentic Filipino traditions.
• Francisco English, founder and director of the renowned Octava Chorale Society of MSU-IIT, shared his experience in cultivating national pride among students by performing ethnic choral pieces like “Obar-Obar a Tambis,” “Guani,” and “Mamayug Aken” at international events. These pieces, two composed by Prof. English and one by Dr. Tejero, exemplify the power of music in fostering Filipino identity.
• Christine G. Ortega, Founding Head of the Mindanao Creative & Cultural Workers Group and Chair of MSU-IIT Culture and Arts Program, elaborated on Culture-Based Education, which involves integrating Indigenous values and traditions into the curriculum across subjects such as humanities, music, history, and performing arts.
• Ariel Punzalan, a teacher of Arts Appreciation, highlighted the depth of My Musical Journey of Central Mindanao as a vital resource for teaching Filipino culture, praising its coverage of seven Mindanao cultures as robust and comprehensive.

Audience participation added meaningful layers to the celebration. Datu Pamanay – Sultan sa Mandulog, and his second wife, Mindaya Hadji Nasser Sarip, expressed gratitude to Dr. Tejero for her efforts. Mindaya, an onor of the Kariala Ethniko Center for Music Traditions, shared heartfelt memories of the author’s support during her education and career.

Dr. Royce Torres, President of IMCC, commended Dr. Tejero’s contributions to expanding research areas and strengthening accreditation for IMCC courses. Her leadership has elevated the institution’s reputation, including its internationally peer-reviewed Journal of Science.

Adding to the vibrant celebration, the Kapagintaw Gong Ensemble Overture, directed by Mr. Cesar Padilla, enriched the atmosphere with mesmerizing gong music and songs, many of which are featured in the book.

Dr. Tejero generously donated copies of her book to libraries and cultural organizations, including IMCC, and the panel of discussants. Prof. Kathreen Van Solatario announced that limited copies are available for purchase at PHP 500 each. The 239-page publication features 68 pages of colored photographs, capturing the essence of Central Mindanao’s rich musical heritage.