TABUK CITY – More than 8,000 Kalinga tribespeople braved the rains and long hours of standing to put up a unified front to break two Guinness World Records Wednesday.
A total of 3,440 Kalinga male folk played the traditional gongs simultaneously. They now hold the world record for the Largest Gong Ensemble.
Not to be outdone, 4,681 Kalinga women performed separately – a pot dance, breaking the Guinness record for the Largest Banga Dance.
Kalinga province orchestrated this historic cultural show on Wednesday during their 28th founding anniversary.
The cultural performance was dubbed “Call of a Thousand Gongs, Dance of a Thousand Pots.” But the Kalinga spirit exceeded that target.
Cultural significance
The gongs, made of metal and beaten to make a sound, are a vital part of the culture of the people of Cordillera.
The gong can be used in feasts to signify nobility and thanksgiving or to recognize an important person.
But the gong ensemble Wednesday showcased more than the cultural heritage.
It proved Kalinga men’s unwavering strength. Playing the gong the entire day needs extra stamina.
A medium-sized gong weighs as much as 8 kilos. A minimum of eight men play a set.
The ensemble started at 1pm and lasted until 9 pm, with minimal breaks.
The Banga dance, on the other hand, shows the resilience and grace of the women.
Strict Guinness standards
Guinness World Records sent its Official Adjudicator, Kazuyoshi Kirimura, to personally witness the event.
He told Kalinga organizers that the performance is about more than just bringing the bodies to perform simultaneously. He identified three essential criteria that the performers of Awong Chi Gangsa must meet:
- Number of gongs played
- Number of beat sticks
- Five-minute simultaneous playing
After the performance on Wednesday evening, the Japanese adjudicator announced that Kalinga set two Guinness world records.
The province thanked all those who made the event possible.
“The province would like to extend its gratitude to all the participants who endure the long hours and rain for this historic achievement,” it said.
First attempt
Kalinga first attempted to set a world record for the largest gong group in 2018, but it was unsuccessful.
It has since made up for this by setting not just one but two world records.
