The vibrant sound and rhythm of gongs – a cultural article that hold significance in the history and traditions of the Cordillera region, will echo in Baguio City in celebration of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month.
Along with the IP Month celebration, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 135, series of 2023 declaring the month of October as the Baguio Gong Festival and setting forth guidelines for this purpose.
This year will be the 11th year of the Baguio gong Festival bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate and participate in the festivities, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride.
The Gong festival Day will be on October 8 with a parade at 8:00 in the morning from Session Road to Harrison and will culminate at the Melvin Jones followed by an opening program and ceremony.
Activities for the month include a mural making event scheduled to take place at E. Jacinto Street throughout the entire month of October from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon daily. During this time frame, artists will create large-scale murals, turning the street into an artistic canvas for a wide range of creative expressions, making it an engaging and vibrant public art project.
Busking and other entertainment activities called Salimsim Live Performances will also take place at E. Jacinto Street on October 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 29 and 29 or every Saturday and Sunday of October from 2:PM onwards, providing a series of lively and culturally enriching public acts.
An online art exhibit will be running through the month to provide an extended period for virtual visitors to explore and appreciate a diverse collection of artworks in Baguio being a melting pot of culture.
Indigenous games will be conducted on October 15 from 8AM to 5PM at Carantes Street offering an opportunity for participants to engage in and celebrate the cultural heritage of traditional sports and activities.
Culminating activity will be on October 29 from 8AM to 9PM along E. Jacinto Street to be concluded with live performances by Mingor Chi Kultura and Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad.
“This annual celebration promotes tourism, preserves indigenous culture, and emphasizes the significance of the gong in the lives of Baguio residents.
Several departments of the city government are directed to extend support to the activities further firming up Baguio’s title as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts. ** JMPS