CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) – – Organizers of the Awong Chi Gangsa are inviting more Kalinga men and women to participate in the “Call for a Thousand Gongs and Dance of a Thousand Pots” on February 15 as it attempts for a spot in Guinness Book of World Records.
The Awong Chi Gangsa Committee is rounding the seven municipalities and the city of Tabuk to orient local government unit officials about this activity and seek for their full participation.
The “Awong Chi Gangsa, Agtu’n Chi Banga” is a highlight of the 28th Kalinga Founding Anniversary and 4th Bodong Festival. It will start at 1:00 pm on February 15 with dancers at the end forming a dove as symbol of peace.
Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk and Committee Chairman of the Awong Chi Gangsa, said the “Call for a Thousand Gongs and Dance of a Thousand Pots” or the “Awong Chi Gangsa, Agtu’n Chi Banga” beckons every Kalinga to realize the fulfillment of the dream for peace, and at the same time to highlight the culture that has been preserved all throughout the generations. It has always been a dream for lasting peace among the subtribes here in Kalinga, he stressed.
“He said peace can be achieved if our minds and hearts as people of Kalinga is united as one people like we do when we dance with the rhythm of the gongs. As we remind ourselves, we also speak to the world that there is a deep potential for lasting peace and unity here in Kalinga to be realized.”
A brainchild of Bishop Andaya, the Awong Chi Gangsa has been featured in the 2014 and 2015 celebration of Kalinga Day.
The prelate explained that for this year’s staging, “Agtu’n Chi Banga”, a dance role given to women has been added to balance both gender involvement. It also aims to revive and promote the local pottery industry.
“Our women shall dance with the pots on their heads, the pot being the symbol of Kalinga cultural hospitality which is very unique among the cultural communities in our country. While we value the touristic aspect of this event, we cannot deny that this can raise the consciousness of our people to work for lasting peace and unity among the cultural communities,” the Bishop said.
He invites all Kalinga men to play their gongs at the same place and at the same time, and with the same rhythm, as the role of Kalinga women as partners and vanguards of the culture will also be highlighted.
“This year, we look forward for a wider participation among our tribal communities, which we hope would surpass the number of dancers during the “Awong Chi Gangsa” of 2014 and 2015,” the Bishop said.
The event in 2014 involved 1,430 gong players while in 2015, there were 1,786 gong players together with their female counterparts that participated in the Awong Chi Gangsa. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
