“We realize that there are only five young people who are interested in gong making,” Monte said. How will our grandchildren perform the ‘tayaw’ (native dance) without gongs?” said Temo-an Canabel, 69, another gong maker. Bedbed gong makers had perfected the technique of making the gongs resonate fuller and not emit a scattered clang, which many Cordilleran villagers preferred, said Prudencio. In the 1960s, a merchant named Langakan from Barangay Abatan in Buguias town sold bronze sheets from Manila, which helped jump-start the manufacture of bronze gongs. Galino said bronze gongs sounded better and lasted longer than iron gongs made from shells of bombs.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 10, 2018 21:45 UTC