PANGKAT KALUTANG OF BANGBANG, GASAN

”Pangkat Kalutang of Bangbang” (also known as Kalutang Band or Kalutang Group), is not officially registered as an organization. It is an informal community-based performing group of local musicians who are neighbors, family members or relatives that specialize in Kalutang playing and are all residents of Brgy. Bangbang in Gasan. These part-time farmers and fishermen, are often invited to perform in official functions.

Some members of the group also play the banjo, guitar, harmonica and are members of “CONTAINER BAND”, also founded by Tirso Serdena. (The said band’s name was derived from their use of scrap materials, such as plastic containers and other found materials that produce interesting percussion sounds. They are also favorite performers during private parties and community gatherings). From time to time, the group also teams up with the “Bangbang Putong Group” composed of elderly women to render musical accompaniment with their Kalutang.

Mr. Serdena was born on January 28, 1943, had schooling only up to Grade VI. He is a “mangangarit”, tuba-gatherer, his daily occupation. Married to Eulenda C. Serdena, 60, who is into swine-raising and serves as the group's manager. They have three children, two of whom are members of the Kalutang Band (Noriel, 42 and Norman, 39)

In 2001, a three-month Kalutang training program participated in by 13 elementary schools with 12 students each was undertaken by Mr. Serdena. He had also accepted invitations to undertake shorter programs, once for students of Marinduque State College (MSC), and also once for a brief inter-action with music students at the UP College of Music (1994).

“Pangkat Kalutang” had eight (8) original members in 1970. Four of them have died and three including Mr. Serdena have remained active members until now. The oldest surviving member of the original group is Manuel Serdena, now 80 years old.