Family and friends farewell Subam

By SALLY POKITON
UPNG journalism student
MUSIC legend Tony Soru Subam, who died on Christmas Day at age 53, was a positive man who believed in the power of the mind, a farewell service in Port Moresby was told yesterday.
Sebastian Miyoni, a fellow founder of the renowned Sanguma band formed in 1978, told a gathering of colleagues, family and friends to celebrate Subam’s life at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church,  his band mate meditated a lot to find an inner peace.
Subam’s son, Siaro Subam, paid tribute to his father on behalf of the family saying he was a loving, humble and caring person.
“His work and commitment to his students, you can see the connection he had with them,’’ he said.
“To me he was a strong man, he believed in what he thought was right.
“He always pushed away the negative things in life and told me and my siblings to move forward.”
Subam, of Kairuru in East Sepik and Yabob in Madang, was the third of five boys who grew up in Madang, Goroka and Lae where his father worked.
He attended the Holy Spirit “A” Catholic School then went on to Malala Catholic High School in 1970 before going on to Kerevat National High School in 1974.
Subam enrolled at UPNG in 1976 to study science but withdrew to enroll at the National Arts school to study music where he majored in  saxophone and flute.
He formed the Sanguma band with fellow National Arts school pioneer students Thomas Komboi and Miyoni in 1978.
The band which grew to include Buruka Tau, Raymond Haken and Aaron Murray, performed in Germany, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the
US and other Pacific islands.
At the time of his death, he was the head of the UPNG creative arts music section.
One of his former students, Richard Mogu, described his mentor as an ambassador of PNG culture.
His body leaves for Madang today. He is survived by his two partners, four sons and one daughter.