JO-DIA JEAN LORENANA Y.

VALLES

2012-50242

Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino

Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) together with its leader
Professor Pedro R Abraham Jr, conducted a special lecture and performance for the
students of STS class last week. Kontra-GaPi was the appointed resident ethnic
music and dance ensemble of the university since 1993, striving to express and
showcase the music and arts of the indigenous people to a new form, a form that
goes with the changes in our society. Mr. Abraham told us that Kontra-GaPi draws
inspiration for its dances and music from the wealthy and diverse cultures of the
Philippines and her Asian roots.
Kontra-GaPi

ensemble

is

compose

of

idiophones,

chordophones,

membranophones and human body itself. Some ideophones that Kontra-Gapi uses
are kulintang, gangsa, tongatong and kalutang. Kontra-GaPi also uses Cordilleran
drums of varying sizes and shapes. During our lecture we were introduced to how
the human body itself is used as an instrument, it could be by different ways of
applause, stomping, and sounds produced by the vocal chords. There are extremely
unique and interesting instruments like the kuribaw or mouth harp.
Through Kontra-GaPis performances, I could see how wealthy and diverse
our countrys culture and arts. Through their music, each culture was able to
connect to each other, highlighting each others style and aesthetics. It was able to
create a mystic and unique sound to my ears, calming my senses and making me
feel in that specific moment that I was connected to nature. They are able to create
a bridge from our generation to our ancestors, to the aboriginal of our lands.
These characteristics of Kontra-GaPi separates them from the other performing
artists today.
Kontra-Gapi doesnt just use music as a way to express the arts and cultures
but also dance and mime. One of the dances theyve performed last week, the
Philippine Eagle Dance, struck me deeply. I am not making things up. This dance
was my favorite. It actually felt like I was watching a real eagles flight. The beauty,
the edges, and those little, detailed movements in her hands, caught me like a prey
of a real Philippine eagle. It was breathtaking. It was striking. It is one true treasure
of our country.

It may seem that I am exaggerating, but I am really a big fan, lover, of

nature, of ancient beauty that hides deep in our ancestors lands. Kontra-GaPi was
able to revive this tingling feeling in my heart every time they perform. Their music
is full of diversity, beauty, mysticism, and life that lets everyone feel and experience
the ancient and pure form of art. I am really thankful that I was given a chance to
see Kontra-GaPi perform again, and to learn and experience different cultures
through them.