INSTRUMENTS MR. SACLAG USES
FLUTES
BAMBOO FLUTES
Bamboo flutes are generally end-blown flutes, with the air stream directed into the open top end of the Bamboo and have three to four holes in the middle that form the gapped scales. Some flutes have incised geometric designs that are formed by burning the bamboo surface with a sharp knife to show the black lines against the natural yellowish skin of the dry bamboo.
Paldong of the Kalinga is a traditional lip-valley notch flute. The open mouthpiece of this flute is bent at a slant to follow the contour of the player's lower lip. A notch is cut at the opposite end of the flute to designate the end of the instrument. It is most commonly used for self-entertainment and courtship. The lip-valley notch flute's tune mimics the sounds of chirping birds, eagle cries, and wasp buzzes.
PALDONG
TONGGALI
Tongali of the Kalinga tribe is a nasal flutes, on the other hand, have a node on one end and an open end. The nose flute's closed end features a tiny hole in the middle for blowing. The player shuts one nostril and forces air into the little opening via the other. Nose flutes are usually played by men and are used for courting or leisure at night, whereas the Kalinga tonggali is played during wakes and funerals.
PERCUSSIONS
Bungkaka of the Kalinga tribe, or bamboo buzzer, is an idiophone, or percussion instrument that creates sounds when vibrating. It is made from a buho ( bamboo) with two tongue-like shapes at the upper half facing each other that produces the sound, and a node at the bottom end.
BUNGKAKA
GANGSA
Gangsa is another Instrument that Saclag mastered. It is a single hand-held smooth-surfaced gong with a narrow rim. Gangsa can also be played in ensembles by a group of musicians, with one gong with a unique tune per musician to create variety of sounds. It can be played in two ways, Toppaya and Pattung. Toppaya style suspends a gangsa from the left hand and struck with a paddle stick on the right hand. In Pattung style, the players are standing bending forward, or dancing in sync with the dancers.
Manlilikha ng Bayan Alonzo Saclag, a performing arts master from Lubuagan, Kalinga, is a specialist in playing tonggali and other ritual-related Kalinga musical instruments.