Malacanang declares Bontoc anniversary non-working day

108th year, 12th Am-among fest skeds bared 

By Gina Dizon  

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- This capital town’s 10- day celebration of its 108th founding anniversary along with the 12th Am-among Festival culminates on Sept. 16 with theme, “Fostering people empowerment for the preservation  and development of culture”.

Sept. 16, 2016 through Proclamation No 33 was declared by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea from the Office of the President a special non-working day for the municipality of Bontoc.

“Am among” was conceptualized in 2005 by Bontoc officials as the name of the Sept. 16 Bontoc Foundation Day.

“Am-among” refers to customary practice of the Bontoc people  meaning “reunion by clan” done after the planting season of the first rice crop called ‘chinakhon’.

The momentous day is observed with messages from Bontoc mayor Franklin Odsey, Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog, guest of honor National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) regional Director Milagros Rimando and sister municipality mayors Roque Versoza of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and mayor Thomas Wales of Bokod, Benguet who shall be delivering statements of support.

Odsey shall deliver welcome address followed by symbolic opening of wine jar of hospitality in a cultural ritual called “tukab.”

In his message printed in the program of activities, Odsey said the “identity of the Bontoks has been passed from generation to generation through culture and tradition. Many of the  strengths  of the iFontoks are derived from our culture and the ways of our ancestors. It is therefore important  to preserve  and develop the best of our culture. By preserving and developing, we bring out the best in our community.”  

Dalogwill deliverhis message “that this dual festive gathering is a reflection of our deeply rooted culture and tradition and sharing the bounty and blessings the Great God Kabunian has showered on us. Indeed our culture of og-ogfu has kept every iFontok people intact and bounded over the years. We take pride in the fact that we have preserved our unique culture amidst external influences, with domestic and foreign intermarriages or due to national and international world relations.”

 Rimando shall be deliver keynote address.

Cultural presentations and indigenous games shall be seen from  delegates from 16 barangays of the town, Mountain Province State Polytechnique College(MPSPC) Performing Arts Club, All Saints Mission School (ASMIS), Saint Vincent School (SVS) and Bontoc Market Vendors Association (BOMARVA).

The 10 day activity starts with a 3-km run at AlabOriente on Aug. 27 and a Tawid marathon starting at the provincial plaza the day after.

Bontoc Got Talent is scheduled on Sept. 15  to show screened performers earlier done Sept. 1.

Blood screening and typing shall be jointly done by the Bontoc local government,Luis Hora Regional Hospital, Amaranth and Masons on September 9.

An agro industrial far shall see display and sale of local products from 16 barangays of the town starting Sept. 12 to 16.

Sept. 15  is observed with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Episcopalian Bishop Brent Alawas and a joint session of the Sangguniang Bayan from both Bontoc and Bokod on sisterhood ties.