TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang rallied the people of the province to affirm their commitment to contribute for its growth and development.
In his message during the record-setting Awong chi Gangsa, Agtun chi Banga held at the Kalinga Sports Complex last week, the Kalinga lawmaker pointed out that it is through the collaboration of the people that they can realize the vision for a progressive Kalinga and that it is their dedication to the nation that allows the province to soar higher and dream boldly.
Further, he claimed that it is through the peoples’ collective action that enables everyone to reach their goals and live their core values of ‘paniyao, ngilin and ba-in.’
To the people of Kalinga, Mangaoang underscored that the gong is one of the priceless musical instruments they ever possess because it symbolizes unity, love, joy and prosperity. Every time a gong is sounded, it is an invitation for a celebration, for a feast, for a thanksgiving.
He stipulated that through the record-setting event, the people of Kalinga reaffirmed their love for their province, their civic pride, and their long cherished culture.
According to him, the Kalinga people must be reminded that before the record-setting feat were the dreams of their forefathers who aspired that one day, Kalinga will have its share of celebrations and it already happened and let the same be an opportune time to remember their pioneering work so that they can introspect the continuity of their aspirations.
He emphasized that the observance and practice of the rich Kalinga culture predicated their solidarity and they gathered to dance with the rhythm of the gongs, they renewed their commitment to their solidarity in order for Kalinga to enjoy an enduring peace, their solidarity to better the lot of their fellow-Kalinga and their solidarity to stay united despite their differences in faith, in ideology, in political affiliations and beliefs.
“Each one has the moral obligation to commit to the attainment of our aspirations for our province. Each one of us has the overriding responsibility to safeguard the legacy we have received from previous generations and had it enriched to the next Kalinga generation,” Mangaoang stressed.
The lawmaker rallied the people to project, preserve, nurture and pass on the legacy of the greatness of their race, the proud Kalinga race standing like peacocks of the north.
Kalinga set two world records that were enshrined in the Guinness Book of World Records, particularly the Largest Gong Ensemble and the Largest ‘Banga’ Dance, which culminated two years of preparation and performed during the Awong chi Gangsa, Agtun chi Banga event.
The said event was part of the various activities lined up by the provincial government in celebration of Kalinga’s 28th founding anniversary and the conduct of the 4th Bodong festival.
On February 14, 1995, former President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act (RA) 7878 that divided the previous Kalinga-Apayao into two independent provinces, Kalinga and Apayao.
