BONTOC, Mtn. Province –The province will be commemorating the 17th Lang-ay Festival and 57th Founding Anniversary on April 1-10, 2024 with cultural uniqueness amidst the cultural diversity as the highlights.
This year’s edition has the theme: Strength in Diversity: Celebrating Inclusivity and Solidarity, says it all. The province hosts varied and distinctive cultures in the ten municipalities divided in the clusters of western, central, and eastern.
Western cluster is composed of the municipalities of Sagada, Besao. Sabangan, Bauko and Tadian. Central cluster is composed of the municipalities of Bontoc and Sadanga while the Eastern cluster consists of the municipalities of Barlig, Natonin, and Paracelis.
The programs of the whole event being distributed indicated the usual activities such as the agro-trade fair, search for Mr. and Miss Mountain Province, Lang-ay on the street, Street Dancing and Cultural Showdown, and Gangsa Night.
Only the launching of Provincial Tourism Brand surgical caravans are the new activities included in this year’s events.
On April 1, there will be a civic parade and a program at the provincial plaza where the Provincial Tourism Band will be launched, and the opening of the agro-trade fair will take center stage.
The next day will be the pre-pageant competition and Fr. Marcsongs concert. The third day will see the conduct of Farmers Forum and coronation night for the Mr. and Ms. Mountain Province.
The focus in the afternoon of April 4 will be the Lang-ay on the Street sponsored by the Office of the Congressman. Indigenous wine and food will be served including those that will be shared by the municipalities.
Governor’s Night will be on the night of April 5 when meals will be served in time for the arrival of the contingents from the municipalities for the amin events in the following day.
The Street Dancing will be performed from the Loc-ong road to the main street of the town to the Eyeb open gym where a program will be held. Three performance areas will be in front of the municipal capitol building, at Omfeg intersection, and by the Circle in front of the government center.
The Cultural Showdown will be performed by the municipalities with each showcasing their unique cultures. Indigenous games will be played with participants from the municipal contingents.
The culminating activity will be the Gangsa Night as the winners in all the events and awarding of prizes will be announced.
Angel Baybay, OIC Provincial Tourism Office, said in ‘kapitolyo sa Radyo, aired over Radyo Natin that there are mainly no new events identified.
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco is the invited Guest of Honor and Speaker while Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Estrada Ejercito will also grace the occasion.
Meanwhile, in the 57th Foundation Day program, Secretary Carlito Galvez will be the keynote speaker and Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., a native of the province will give a message. Roger Sacyaten
