Kalinga artists unify to promote culture and arts

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga -- Local artists playing the role as present-day warriors organized themselves into the Mingor Chi Kultura (MCK) or) to help each other and young talents in all fields of art excel in beyond the local arena  and  to promote Kalinga culture.

Mingor Chi Kultura (Warriors of Culture) is a group of young and old Kalinga artists whose aim is to promote the local culture and arts, according to Gerry Dona-al, MCK adviser.

Mingor in the olden times was a man of heroic exploits, a man who killed for reason of his own. But today through MCK will rise contemporary Mingors who will not kill but do something good for their generation.  They will work for socio-cultural transformation to make Kalinga a haven of peaceful and loving people, Donaal said.

               Arnel Banasan, MCK Adviser, informed that their group especially young artists belonging to the indigenous peoples are innocent, have no vision and are just there to compete.

“Having an organization will help elevate the status of the sector and of becoming partners in cultural promotion and preservation.

Culture to the iKalinga is not only about songs and dances, wearing G-strings and tapis. It is the practice of the supreme ethos of Paniyaw, Ngilin and Bain (Maka-Dios, Maka-Tao, Maka-Kalikasan), Donaal said.

“You are not only culture bearers but also culture leaders in your own field. I want to hear your songs and work of arts tear down barriers of misunderstanding and create solid walls of unity,” Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the Sanggguniang Panlalawigan Michael Karel Sugguiyao   told the group during the induction program.

Board Member and cultural master Frederick Pangsiw assured the group of their support to accredit MCK.

 “I believe that advancing arts is also one way of promoting culture. Songs are about our culture so with painting and other work of arts,” he said.

The MCK has Christian Roe Manuel as the elected president, and Christian Peralta Maga-ao    as vice president. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)