“Awong Chi Gangsa” Unites Kalinga folks

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Call of a Thousand Gongs (Awong Chi Gangsa) united Kalinga folks in a spectacular showdown of their cultural dance high noon of  Feb. 13 at the Kalinga Sports Complex here.

One thousand male dancers in G-strings beat the gongs in unison forming the words KALINGA SHINES in upward curved line to depict a smiling face with their 1,000 women partners clad in the native attire dance forming an outside ring.

Gov. JocelBaac considered this  event  a strong display of cooperation, involvement and unity of all local leaders and people of Kalinga.

He pictured the event as a “hair-raising” presentation and extended appreciation to the organizers that include Amelia Miranda, Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr and Alonzo Saclag Sr.

All seven municipalities and the City of Tabuk, through their gong players performed in the unity call of the gong at the province’s naturally carved athletic bowl.        

“This is peace in the real sense as we celebrate Kalinga day with oneness and same color taste,” according  to Miranda, who initiated the  Awong Chi Gangsa.

Explaining the significance of the event, Miranda said playing of a gong in the Kalinga culture only takes place during festive occasions depicting peace, joy and celebration.

“Let the call of the thousand gongs then be a call to rid conflicts, division and selfish motives among our leaders and people towards a united and progressive province”, Miranda told  about 5,000 audience who  gathered  to watch this historical event.

Bishop Andaya said he was  unsure if there are really a thousand gongs in Kalinga and knowing that gongs are personal properties and they could not just be brought without  ritual.

But  he said he was elated it happened despite the short preparation “I believe no obstacle can ever prevent us if we come, together search for common ground to achieve peace,” the Bishop said.

The gathering of the one thousand gongs and harmoniously played all at the same time was the first of its kind in the province, region and country as it vies to listed in the World Book of Recor