Kontra-GaPi of UP to jam on Aklan anniversary

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) ensemble is on road tour in celebration of the 58th founding anniversary of the province of Aklan. 

The Kontra-GaPi dancers and musicians from University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters will spread the culture and arts through a fusion of music, songs and dance in Kalibo, Aklan on April 26.

The provincial government of Aklan, Congressional District Office-Aklan and Northwestern Visayan Colleges will host the Kontra-GaPi performers. 

Since 1989, the ensemble has been conducting music and dance workshops and performances in Southeast Asia, China, Europe, United States and all over the regions in the country. 

The troupe was founded by UP Diliman Arts Studies Professor Pedro “Edru” Abraham Jr.

The group performers used more than twenty different instruments such as gangsa, kalutang, tongatong, hegalong, kulibet, gitigt, kuritang, diwdiw-as, esmi, tonggali, suling, debakan, solibaw, kulintang and Cordilleran drums and a combination of ethnic sound and movement through clapping and stomping in their performances.

"Gapi" means "to shackle" and "kontra" is "against", which implies taking a stand against confining artistic expression. Kontra-GaPi aims to offset Western influence in Philippine pop culture. It has evolved into a fusion of musical influence from the Hindu, Javanese, Balinese, Chinese, Malay and Middle Eastern traditions.

The Aklan Cultural Tour of Kontra-GaPi is open to the public. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Goding Ramos Park.