2012 Matagoan Fest to feature “Kanta Tako” concert

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

Thursday 14th of June 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, June 14(PIA) -– Local musicians are set to highlight the opening day of the 2012 Matagoan Festival on June 21 with a concert dubbed Matagoan Music Festival Concert: Kanta Tako (Our Song) at the Tabuk City People’s Gym.

According to Edison Balansi, the event's musical director, the concert at 6:30PM will be held for free to give chance for the people and visitors to come and appreciate the live performances of local artists. Balansi is also and singer/keyboard of the local group Living Anitos, which will be the main performer during the event.

Other performers include local songwriter Arnel Banasan and other guest artists.

Also gracing the event will be Ms. Air Philippines 2012 winner Glennifer Perido, who is Tabuk City’s contender in the Ms. Earth Philippine’s 2012 beauty pageant.

“One of the most admirable aspects of our culture is our ethnic music. Through this concert we hope our people especially the young generation would come to appreciate the richness of our heritage,” Balansi said.

The local artists he said are also grateful for the support of the city government in helping promote local performers especially ethnic singers as a way of helping preserve the people’s identity through their own music.

“We could not afford to loss what we have, to trade it, or to replace it with other culture. We should instead enrich or enhance it to make it more artistic, creative, appealing and more enjoyable for people to appreciate what we have,” said Balansi.

He is hopeful that through the local artists,the local music will be preserved and would someday contribute to the promotion of the Kalinga culture as a national heritage.

Said production is headed by the Tabuk Tourism Officer and the concert’s Production Director Arlene Odiem, Balansi as the musical director, Jude Saclag as the Indigenous Instructor Director, and Marjorie Amla as the Choreographer. (GGD, PIA-CAR, Kalinga)