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
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