Activities set for Amamong festival

By Wabilyn Mana-od

BONTOC, Mountain Province- The municipal government here finalized program of activities integrated in the commemoration of the 8th Am-among Festival and 104th founding anniversary of the capital town set on Sept. 10-17.

“Am-among” is a Bontoc term for gathering, get together, or reunion, local folks said.

Traditionally, families belonging to clan reportedly come together for an annual reunion to thank the gods for a fruitful harvest, bountiful blessings, and an opportunity to meet and mingle with other clan members.

The host family prepares the house and welcomes their relatives for the annual feast. Each family contributes for the food and drinks being partake.

Usually, the gathering lasts for three days or even more depending on clan members whether they like to lengthen the reunion.

The municipal government of Bontoc has adapted this tradition in 2005 during the administration of Mayor Alfonso Kiat-ong.

The practice was institutionalized from a mere annual clan or family reunion to an annual get together affair of the 16 barangays of Bontoc giving birth to the 1st Bontoc Am-among Festival in commemoration of the 97th founding Anniversary of the capital town.

The celebration had been passed on from one administration to the other and has become a very significant and well attended event showcasing the active participation of the sixteen barangays of the capital town.

The festivity has evolved and become a celebration of cultural unity amidst customary and traditional diversity among the different barangays that makes the strong foundation in existence of such festival.

The Am-among festival is now on its eighth year and has become a very significant and well attended occasion.

This year through the leadership of Mayor PascualSacgaca, the celebration was anchored on promotion of Bontoc as eco-cultural destination of Mountain Province in partnership with the private sectorand other agencies of the government.

The municipal government envisioned the celebration of the Am-among 2012 to be celebration of the culture with a view of its preservation and for its appreciation by the community as well as the visitors, foreign and local.

It is also designed to promote tourism in the town. so tourists will be  will not just pass going toSagadaor Banaue but  will be lured to patronize scenic wonders in the municipality.

General program of activities for the 2012 Am-among festival are the following: Am-among Tennis Tournament-September 7-9; Pre-finals Ifontok Got Talent-September 8; Launching of the Bontoc Tourism Promotion Website, Opening of the Photo Gallery on Cultural Heritage and Nature Wonders, Unveiling of the Bontoc Tourist Map, Induction of Officers for the Bontoc Eco-Tourism Council are scheduled on September 10 during the Monday flag raising program.

Miss Am-among Pre-pageant September 12; Ifontok Got Talent Finals and Choral Competition is scheduled on September 13; Opening of Agro Industrial Fair and SMART Day  is scheduled on September 14; Civic Parade, Thanks Giving Mass, Book launching (Bontoc and It’s Barangays), Folk Dance Competition and Main Pageant Miss Am-among are scheduled on September 15; Darts Competition, Fun Bike, and Darts Competition is set on September 16; Street Dancing and Cultural Presentation, Feeding, and Indigenous games are scheduled on September 17.