Joey Ayala is a Filipino singer, songwriter and former chairman of the music committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. He is well known for his style of music that combines the sounds of Filipino ethnic instruments with modern pop music. His public music life started when he released an album recorded in a makeshift-studio in 1982 in Davao City. To date, he has released fourteen albums. He is the brother of singer-songwriter Cynthia Alexander. Some of the Filipino ethnic instruments Ayala is known to use include the two-stringed Hegalong of the T'Boli people of Mindanao, the Kubing, the bamboo jaw harp found in various forms throughout the Philippines, and the 8-piece gong set, Kulintang, the melodical gong-rack of the indigenous peoples of the southern part of the country. He also uses modern instruments in his music, such as the electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer/sequencer and drums. The name of his band "Bagong Lumad" literally means "New Native" - a name and philosophy that has been carried over into Bagong Lumad Artists Foundation, Inc., now a UNDP Responsible Party working on SiningBayan capacity-building projects with the Civil Service Commission, the Department of Education, and other GOs and NGOs in the Philippines. He served as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee on Music under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. In 2013, Ayala entered the second Philippine Popular Music Festival as a composer and interpreter for the song called "Papel" where it was named as one of the twelve finalists. The song features collaborations with rapper Gloc-9 and guest vocals of Denise Barbacena. He previously participated in 2012 as an interpreter for the song "Piso" written by Kristofferson Melecio. In 2014, Joey Ayala was featured in the BBC Travel show episode for the Philippines.
Best Musical Score BRUTUS, indie film by Tara Illenberger, awarded by Cinemalaya, 2008.
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Award for Social Artistry has taught the young generations through his well-celebrated songs, the essence of communion and community, of compassion and service, and of human dignity. He exemplified through his most ordinary actions what it means to be a man of God and a man for others. His passionate commitment to music in teaching values makes him a genuine model of social artistry. Given this 18th day of August 2007, at the University of the PhilippinesNational College of Public Administration and Governance, Quezon City.
Best Traditional Song, 8th KATHA Music Awards, Songwriter, lyrics of "Pag-uwi", 16 November 2002.
Grand Prize, Metropop Songwriting Contest, lyricist of “Pag-uwi”, music by Louie Ocampo, interpreted by Martin Nievera. 2001.
Best Movie Theme, “Walang Hanggang Paalam”, used in the movie “Bagong Buwan”, a film by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. 2001.
Gawad Urian, Pinakamahusay na Musika, mula sa Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino Best Music Award, Philippine Movie Critics, for “Batang Westside”, film by Lav Diaz.
Datu Bago Award “For being an outstanding composer-performer-bandleaderlyricist, arranger, writer who has defined the ethnic character of Mindanao music that he renders magnificently well using his voice and indigenous instruments resulting in the consciousness of the Filipino soul of intimations of its moral values and environmental responsibilities.”
National Fellow for Poetry, University of the Philippines, 1999.
Best World Music Vocal Performance, KATHA. “D’yos, D’yos” by Tata Betita, interpreted by Joey Ayala for the 1998 MetroPop Music contest.
Special Philippine Centennial Citation “For creating distinctively Filipino music rooted in ethnic rhythms of power and artistry that draws the collective consciousness particularly of the youth to gravitate on environmental and socio-political issues in a profound but entertaining manner. His music and performance art give world-class exposure and glory to our noble Lumads, our National Bird and our country.”
Special MAGIS Award for Outstanding Alumni “For creating music that delineates the unique Filipino soul, for defining the ethnic character of Philippine music through the use of native instruments, especially in harmony with foreign instruments like drums and acoustic guitar, and for awakening in the Filipino an awareness of its own heritage as a people.”
Gawad ng Pagkilala “Dahil sa paglikha ng mga awiting mayaman sa pagpapahalagang moral sa wikang Filipino at paglalapat ng musika sa pamamagitan ng katutubong mga instrumento... nakatutulong sa pagpapayabong at pagpapaunlad ng wika at kalinangang Pilipino.”
Special citation “For providing inspiration to the youth and progressive movements committed to ecological wholeness, justice and peace through music and song.”
The Outstanding Young Men Award “For humanitarian efforts directed towards the two objectives of art - as relevant socially-oriented medium and as aesthetic principle”; accompanied by the Gerry Roxas Leadership Medal
Gawad Malayang Pilipino "Dahilan sa kanyang di matatawarang ambag sa paglilinang ng kamalayang makabansa sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga musika.'''
