(courtesy of Barangay Folk Dance Troupe)
circa 1960s Krüger-NBS Colored Photo Postcard
"... Balangbang requires the participation of many to beat the gongs and many women dancers. This originated from the western municipalities of Mountain Province (Besao, Sagada, Tadian, Bauko, Sabangan) but performed anywhere. Its version in eastern Mountain Province is the 'pattong'.
"The male gong players could be five or more and the female dancers could range from a single dancer to more than 10. It is a dance appropriate for mass participation. The male gong players move in a circular direction as they synchronize their artistic graceful steps and body swaying. The women dancers follow as they dance with the appropriate step, body swaying and arm position depending on the art and style of the music players."
excerpts from "Ethnic Dances in Mountain Province" by Dr. Caridad B. Fiar-od
#Balangbang #ethnicdance #MtProvince
