BAGUIO, Philippines – The open field in Melvin Jones had gone muddy, but it was still bustling with young people in colorful cultural attire. The heat was scorching, but the sounds of chants, laughter, and gongs filled the air.
It was the 12th Gong Festival on Sunday, October 6, and Kyle Ramos, a 19-year-old Igorot from Baguio City, was contributing to the sounds. He’s a gong player with deep roots in Mountain Province — in fact, he comes from a family of generations of gong players.
During Sunday’s festival, the “Turayan,” a 36-person cultural ensemble to which Ramos belongs, performed Mountain Province’s palakis, a courtship dance, and the takik, a dance also for courtship and good wealth.
Ramos found his home and identity in the rhythmic world of gongs at an early age of 10 years. Growing up surrounded by gong players, he was naturally drawn to the instrument and its deep cultural significance.
“At first, gongs were just something I always heard, but eventually I became interested in playing them. I wanted to learn from the elders in our community,” he told Rappler in Filipino.
“Being a gong player is important to me because when I see other groups, I’m amazed at how many people appreciate our culture.”
The elders in their community would always play gongs during weddings and tribal gatherings. His grandfather, who was a longtime gong player until he died, also inspired him to continue learning.
His interest led him to be part of “Turayan,” which means “eagle dance” in Kalinga.
Beyond embracing the Igorot culture, one of the most important things that Ramos has gained from being part of the group is building friendship with people of different backgrounds.
“I’ve met many people from different places, and I’ve become close friends with them,” Ramos said.
The Turayan cultural group is composed of young people who aim to showcase their knowledge of their culture and traditions through dances, chants, and playing cultural instruments. According to the group, they were formed in 2014 in Barangay Balsigan, where they connected and found a shared interest.
“Besides events like the Gong Festival, we also perform at weddings and hotels,” he said.
Playing gongs also relieves his stress, especially when he’s playing with his friends.
When asked what gongs mean to his life, he said, “They are invaluable to our culture because they are always present at any occasion.”
Ramos said: “Some people don’t seem to understand our performances. We know they appreciate them, but we hope they understand their meaning. Some just want to see Igorots but don’t know anything about our tribes or provinces. When they see someone wearing cultural attire, they would immediately say they’re Igorot.”
Still, he would always find happiness in playing gongs while wearing appropriate cultural attire, inspiring others, and finding a family within their community that helps and supports each other.
Since he does not have his personal gong, Ramos always tries to take care of it as if it were his own because of its significance to his life.
While he is unsure if he will continue playing the instrument until he gets old, his passion for it extends beyond personal fulfillment. He hopes to pass on his knowledge to his future kids to ensure that their tradition does not die.
After all, events like the Gong Festival aim to preserve the Cordilleran heritage and encourage the Cordilleran youth to continue showcasing their culture and traditions.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said during the festival that he was encouraged that “our young people continue to take the lead in celebrating our gong festival.”
“I’m really glad,” the mayor said, that “we’ll continue to empower the young people.” – Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a third year college student and campus journalist from the University of the Philippines Baguio. The former editor-in-chief of Highland 360, a Baguio-based publication, she is also an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2024.