Alonzo Saclag

Alonzo Saclag
Alonzo Saclag is a Filipino musician and dancer who is a recipient of the National
Living Treasures Award.
Alonzo Saclag was born on August 4, 1942.[1] A member of the Kalinga people and
a native of Lubuagan, Kalinga province, Saclag taught himself of his people's traditions
in the performing arts. He learned how to play traditional Kalinga musical instruments
and Kalinga ritual dance movements without formal or informal instruction.[2]
As an effort to revive the dying tradition of playing the gangsa, a type of Kalinga
gong. Saclag lobbied for two years to the provincial government to grant funds to
convert the abandoned Capitol Building into a museum. With support from the provincial
government and other financiers, a branch of the National Museum was established in
Labuagan.[2]
Saclag also campaigned for the promotion of Kalinga culture in schools in his
community by engaging in talks with the institutions' administrators. He is instrumental
in establishing the practice of children of wearing traditional Kalinga clothing for
important school events as well as the teaching of Kalinga folk songs in schools. He
also lobbied for the broadcast of traditional Kalinga music along with contemporary
music in their local radio station. He also formed the Kalinga Budong Dance Troupe with
the intent of promoting Kalinga dance to a wider audience.[2]Saclag was conferred the
National Living Treasures Award in 2000.[2]By 2016, he has established a village within
his town, named Awichon which aims to promote Kalinga culture to tourists.[3]