DIPOLOG CITY, Jan.
25 (PIA) - - Be in high spirit as you hear the rattle of gongs and the jingle
of bamboo instruments. Dance with poise and grace as you move with the beat of
gongs and glide with the enticing chant of bamboo music.
The big day of Dipolog
City is fast approaching. It is the most anticipated event of the year, as this
city celebrates its 100th year.
You would imagine grand festivities and exciting array of activities prepared by the city government. Be part of this grandiose affair as it will host the Tunog-Tugan: 1st International Gongs and Bamboo Music Festival.
The city is home to indigenous group called Subanons who excel and stand out with their musical tradition using the gongs.
For almost a century, Dipolog has made its way to the top. It values and fundamental principles of good governance which dwell on transparency in all its transactions and the active participation of the public, garnering accolades in sports, culture, arts, academe, music and other competitions in the regional and national levels.
Definitely, Dipolog has etched its place in the international arena of musical artistry.
Tracing the roots
From afar, maybe you smell the fragrance of the blossoming orchids at the City Rotonda, the fresh scent of pine trees at Plaza Magsaysay or maybe you feel the cool blast of air in Dipolog City Boulevard. Perhaps you are craving for the mouth-watering and delightful Spanish style sardines of the city and its sweet and luscious fruits.
Nonetheless, the city is more than that. It is known as the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" through the Western Nautical Highway. It is dubbed with many names like the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines" for its Spanish style sardines and the “Orchid City” because of its native orchid called Pangadlaw.
July 1, 1913 will mark the centenary of Dipolog as a municipality as carved out of Dapitan with Pascual Martinez as its first municipal mayor appointed by Gen John J. Pershing, Governor General of Mindanao.
On June 6, 1952, the Philippines Congress enacted Republic Act 711 creating Dipolog Municipality the capital town of Zamboanga del Norte. On June 21, 1969 Former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos signed into law the Dipolog City Charter pursuant to Rep. Act 5520. It was momentous and historic for the city as Apollo 11 carrying the first men on the moon was launched.
Centennial Hallmark
Dipolog’s centennial is a one year gala of music, merrymaking and bustles of activities which was formally launched last July 1. Dipolognon’s watched the historic and renowned unveiling of the centennial marker and the switching-on of the digital centennial countdown system. The venue was filled with bliss and amusement when General Pershing’s proclamation of Dipolog as a municipality was re-enacted.
At this moment, Dipolog has proven not only to its regional neighbors but to the entire nation and to the world that it can do better and be at its best as it will host the ‘tunog-tugan festival’ come February 16 to 22 this year.
It is a one week of galas and concerts that will break out throughout the city. Enjoy the thrilling rumble as different groups of musical artists exhibit their one of a kind talent. Grace this event with your presence and undying support to make the centennial anniversary in style.
This is the perfect time the city will hold this exalting and posh festivity with VIPs, illustrious guests and dignitaries from different parts of the world.
“I am very thankful that our city is chosen to host this outstanding event. This is a pride to the whole Dipolognons to hold this prestigious festival. This would invite more tourists to venture in our city thereby elevating our tourism industry,” commented by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy during the Tunog-Tugan press conference.
“This will underscore and draw attention to our centennial celebration,” she added.
Get Involved
Tunog-tugan is the first international gongs and bamboo festival organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) National Committee on Music (NCM) under the NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts in celebration with the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF) as part of the National Arts Month (NAM).
It comes from the two Filipino words- tunog which means sound and tugtugan which means act of creating music. This implies the sound and resonance of gongs and bamboo music in the world.
Prof. Felipe De Leon Jr., NCCA chairman said during the above-stated press conference that Dipolog was chosen to hold the weeklong opening of the affair because of its serene environment, peaceful and loving populace and the presence of indigenous people praiseworthy to be recognized as part of the society and to safeguard their culture as part of our history.
Local and foreign gongs and bamboo ensembles will gather together for performances, lectures and workshops. Exhibiting the innovative and skillful masterpiece of local artists and featuring interaction with international musicians. It endeavors to enhance and give recognition to the social and spiritual significance of gongs and bamboo music as well as the tradition behind these musical instruments.
Evidently, this project is a manifestation of the continuing pursuit of excellence of the Philippines and other countries to promote and preserve the tradition of using the gongs and bamboos in musical composition.
Agents of Musical Artistry
Dipolog City Bamboo Marimba Ensemble is one of the participating groups in this significant event. It was founded by Jay R. Sarita, an educator who took efforts through his advance research and extensive development to craft the marimbas. Its members are the esteemed rondalla instrumentalists who are national winners in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA). They uphold the city’s exemplary musical artistry.
Other groups who will enchant and captivate the crowd are the Bagobo Clata (Davao City); Cordillera Music Tutorial and Research Center (Baguio City); Ifugao Performing Arts Group (Ifugao); Ingat Kapandayan Artist Center, Tausug (Jolo, Sulu); Maguindanao Kulintang Ensemble (Cotabato City); Panay Bukidnon (Iloilo); Roxas Ahadas Yakan Music Cultural Group (Basilan); Subanen of Lapuyan (Zamboanga del Sur); Subanen of Siayan (Zamboanga del Norte); Subanen of Sindangan (Zamboanga del Norte); Teduray Agong Ensemble (Maguindanao); Central Conservatory of Music Konghou and Bamboo Music Ensemble (Beijing, China); The Vayali Folklore Group (Kerala, India); Ensamble Modero Palu (Sulawesi, Indonesia); Persatuan Seni Budaya Sabah (Sabah, Malaysia); Noreum Machi (South Korea); Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra (Taiwan); Prasarnmit Performing Arts Alliance (Bangkok, Thailand); Sabai Sabai Thailand and ; Khac Chi Bamboo Music (Vietnam / Canada).
Make some noise
The city has finally made it to the top. With its austerity measures in its government spending, it amazingly accomplished all events and activities as planned.
This year-long celebration has reached the pinnacle of success. It effectively opened the Dipolog Heritage Center and Art Photo Exhibit; received 30 negocarts from DOLE and with the 101st Brigade Phil. Army conducted the Photo and Static Display on July 1 last year.
Moreover, last the month of September, Women in Sports Clinic and the 1st Dipolog Business Summit were initiated.
The month of October marked the fiesta celebration of Dipolog City through its Dahunog Festival with the Band Competition and Search for Ms. Teen Tourism.
Pasko sa Dipolog (PASADI) conducted every month of December showcases talents of the people from different barangays.
The city is now preparing for the Love Arts and Music 2013 with the revelry of Mindanao Arts Festival come February 5-7 this year, Tunog-Tugan Festival as scheduled and “Two-gether” forever mass wedding.
The Search for Mutya sa Dipolog will also be revived this year to make the centennial celebration more meaningful and glorious.
Notable indeed is the Pangadlaw Awards initiated by the city government which is given once every two years and usually during Labor Day.
“This is the search for the most outstanding Dipolognon who excel in their field and make a difference to the community,” says Pinky Rabino, Assitant City Information Officer during an interview.
Every May during the city fiesta, people gather along the main streets of Dipolog to witness dancers in their colorful and unique costumes as they move and glide with the pounding and beating of drums, the tune of trumpets and the toss of cymbals. P’gsalabuk festival adds grace and gives class to the centennial celebration. This gives recognition to the three tribes who brought the city to what it is now. The Subanen, Muslim and Christian tribes give a picture of the original Dipolognons. (FPG/MAA/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)