Savellano, Gad Xavier R.

KAD

Cordillera Music: A Desperate Battle of Culture

It is by music that people find unity in diversity. The Great Billy Joel once said, “Music in itself is healing. It’s an

explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from,

everyone loves music.” Everything can assure how music is vital to man’s life. From a plain musical performance

to Coachella. Music, indeed, gathers everyone. In this modern world, it is obvious how competitive music from

different origins are. The overwhelming impact of these makes our indigenous music clearly lose the battle. As

we go on with my essay, we will look unto the abundance of Kalinga culture and how indigenous music still fight

for it's spot.

Prof. Benicio Sokkong, a man of culture. My instructor in our Cordilleran Music class. By his looks and the way

he dresses you would not know that he is once an instructor at UP Diliman Conservatory of Music, and an

Executive Council of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). His white ash long hair and

goatee will definitely make you not believe that this man is no ordinary one. The interview is very casual, he

humbly accepts me not minding that he has another errands to do. It got casual to the point that he chews

momma while i ask him questions and i think that’s cool.

Kalinga is one of the province of Cordillera that is rich in culture and music. Bamboo instruments of Kalinga

shows how indigenous people are creative. Two of the most notable instrument of Kalinga are Tongali, a nose

flute and Paldong a mouth flute. Both are solo and wind instrument. “Way back, we often play these

instrument for certain ceremonies. Used when you court someone or to just satisfy yourself after a long tiring

day” he stated. “We also play music in the hopes making our harvest prosperous or just to drive away bad

entities in our tribe” he added. Tongali is played by by putting it to the nostril and sounded by a moderate

breath. Paldong is played by placing the flute on your lower lips and sounded by controlled and gentle blow.

Both the instrument requires skills and control.

“Why Bamboo?” I asked sir Beni thinking that they could’ve made use of another medium instead. “Bamboo is
Savellano, Gad Xavier R.
KAD

just important to us. Not only that we have plenty of it in our place. But also it is what makes a good instrument

i must say” Sir Beni explained. Bamboo Instruments surely paved way to the development to the Cordilleran

culture.

But as the days gone by and where change is inevitable, it’s sad to see the decline of our own music. He even

told me that foreign music has a great impact to ethnic music in his tribe. He estimated that only 15% of the

kalinga people still exercise their culture which is saddening. People tend to listen more upbeat music than to

dicover the breath-taking melody of their music. This is the truth that is happenig now, that people become

alien in their own land. And this is the sad part of the story.

Sir Beni with all of his strength and high hopes continue to still keep the flame not to lose it light. Not only he is

a teacher but also a performer. He had traveled many parts of the globe conducting worskshops and grace

numerous stage with the performance of his culture. He never failed to be proud and be firm of his background

promoting the lifestyle of his tribe. His works makes me realize that sir Beni plays a huge function in the process

of the rebirth and survival of ethnic music.

“Music is for Everyone” he said when I asked about him promoting his music. “People are free to learn our

culture. I am more than willing to teach even if you're not part of the group” sir Beni clarifies that Kalinga

culture follows no strict order in who are qualified to adopt their culture. Meaning, anyone is welcome. I asked

him who will continue his legacy beside himself and he remembered something “My students in UP

Conservatory of Music!” he stated and steals a glance in our class and said “You, all of you” upon hearing those

words I knew that my heart is touched. That this man is serious about his advocacy. That he will keep figthing

until the end.

Me, myself honestly do not have a single blood of Cordillera in my body. But the first time I stepped my foot on

the soil of this land I felt that I have the responsibility to learn their culture. This is what we need to accept. We

first need to just appreciate our very own before turning our attention to what is in, or trendy. The hope is in us

Filipinos, let us not be a foreigner of our own land.