DATU is a Toronto-based Filipino Canadian music project by Alex Punzalan and Romeo Candido blending traditional Filipino instruments with contemporary electronic, soul, and experimental production. Drawing inspiration from kulintang gong traditions, layered percussion, and immersive sound design, their work connects ancestral rhythms with modern sonic storytelling.
Over the course of 2025 and 2026, DATU has been releasing a series of singles recorded at a residency in Hawaiʻi, exploring themes of diaspora, mythology, and cultural memory. The recordings form the foundation of an upcoming immersive audio experience, EPIK: THE LAST HUMANS that expands their sound into spatial listening environments, combining traditional instruments, electronic textures, storytelling and cinematic soundscapes.
Listen to their latest single here and follow DATU on Instagram or Facebook.
The Fire Horse Award, named after Reel Asian founder Anita Lee, celebrates Asian Canadian trailblazers whose work is transformational, representational, and inspiring. Established in 2021, the award is a cornerstone of the Asian Canadian film and media arts community, honouring individuals whose vision, innovation, and dedication have made lasting contributions and left an indelible mark.
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival, showcasing bold contemporary cinema by Asian and Asian diasporic artists from Canada, the U.S., Asia, and around the world. Held each November in Toronto, Reel Asian presents a dynamic lineup of film screenings, panels, and special events, with programming and education initiatives continuing throughout the year. Founded in 1996, Reel Asian celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades of championing underrepresented voices and fostering dialogue through film and media arts.
401 Richmond Street West, The Commons (Suite 448)
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Canada
(416) 703 – 9333
info@reelasian.com
Charitable number: 870021383RR0001
