One Win Away from Hall of Fame: Agbannawag Central School wins Elementary Drum and Lyre for the fourth time

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Agbannawag Central School is now just a win away from becoming a Hall of Famer in the Drum and Lyre – Elementary competition of the Kalinga Bodong Festival after claiming victory for the fourth time on February 12, 2026.

Agbannawag Central School has been winning the competition consecutively since 2023.

In an interview with teachers Janylyn Ballay and Daina Batinggan, who are in charge of the group, they admitted to GURU Press Cordillera that they almost did not join this year’s drum and lyre competition due to limited preparation time and other commitments they had to attend to.

Despite these time constraints, they said they were encouraged to participate by Principal Dolores Ganotice and Musico ni Juan, who has been serving as their trainer.

When asked about the key to their success, Ballay credited the support of the students’ parents, their principal, and their trainers.

“Iti number one ket diay support — support of the parents ken ni principal mi. One factor met lang ket diay trainers mi nga naglalaing, nag-anus da nga mangdisiplina iti u-ubbing mi. Though short time iti practice mi tatta nga time ta limited, ngem naala mi latta. Consistent lang talaga iti panang-practice kadagiay ubbing,” she said.

Agbannawag Central School received a ₱120,000 prize from the provincial government and an additional ₱10,000 from the personal resources of Governor James Edduba.

Bulanao Central School, meanwhile, was named first runner-up, winning a ₱90,000 prize plus ₱10,000 from the governor. Southern Tabuk Integrated School, the second runner-up, received a ₱70,000 prize and ₱10,000 from Governor Edduba.