The fourth Baguio Gong Festival culminated with a day-long showcase of indigenous Cordilleran dances on October 30. In this year’s festival, more than 20 cultural groups from all over the region performed during the festival held at the Baguio Convention Center.
Baguio Gong Festival and Indigenous Peoples Month
Officials from the city and provincial local governments also participated. The event also served as a culminating activity for Indigenous Peoples Month. Thus the invited special guest, Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag is a Cordilleran. A native of Natonin, Mt. Province, she gave her talk on the importance of indigenous culture and heritage.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Benguet Governor Cresencio Pacalso and Baguio City Congressman Mark Go also gave their respective speeches. Most of them emphasized the need to look at regional autonomy again.
Indigenous Dance as Celebrations
After all the speeches, the much-awaited cultural performances started. The sound of gongs resonated all throughout the venue, as the dancers in their colorful cultural attire showcased the different types of dance in the region.
The BEBSAT Performing Group danced the Balliwes, an indigenous dance of the Tingguians of Abra Province.
The Ga’dang Cordillera Cultural Group was next on stage, with their performance of the Tontak.
Next up to perform was the Ifugao Student Organization, who performed the Dinuyya. In most Cordilleran cultures, dance is an important part of any festival or celebration. For the Ifugaos, the Dinuyya is one such dance.
A cultural group from the University of Baguio called UB-KASA dance the Pattong, which is a ritual dance from the Mt. Province.
Indigenous Dance as Rituals
For Cordillerans, planting and harvesting seasons are important events. They celebrate these through dance as well, such as the Begnas dance of Mt. Province, which was showcased by the United Cordillera Army.
In some areas in the Mt. Province, the Ballangbang marks a victory or a celebration. The University of the Cordillera Hapiyo Mi danced this celebratory dance.
The Tadok is a Kalinga dance, which was performed by the CCPG of Saint Louis University. Like other Cordillerans, the Kalingas dance the Tadok during festivals.
The Baguio Gong Festival has become a yearly event that coincides with the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month in October. Cultural performances such as these need to be promoted more so that more people will discover and appreciate our indigenous cultures.
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