Sanguma members to farewell Subam

By SALLY POKITON
UPNG journalism student
MEMBERS of the hit band Sanguma have arrived in Port Moresby to farewell fellow band member Anthony Soru Subam.
Subam passed away on Sunday at the Paradise Private Hospital.
The band was formed in 1978 by pioneer students of the former National Arts School, now the Creative Arts strand of UPNG.
Aaron Murry, Raymond Hakena, Thomas Komboi, Sebastian Miyoni and Buruka Tau were at the UPNG music roundhouse yesterday.
 “We lost a great colleague and it’s a great loss to us and the music industry,” they said.
Hakena said the band’s style of music was unique and one which was yet to be surpassed by local musicians.
“We need to incorporate the PNG music and culture. PNG music is reggae all the way and we need to change that,” Hakena said.
Murry said the group tried to capture as much as possible the various styles of music from the different areas in the country.
Third-year music student Joshua Rumbino said most students such as him did not know much about contemporary music until they met teacher Subam and loved his style of music.
“I do not know how I’ll be able to complete my final year next year in music. He was like a father to us all, not just a lecturer. It is painful.”
Subam’s funeral service will likely be held next Thursday before his body is flown to Madang for burial.