Benguet celebrates 116th Founding Day, Adivay fest

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- - The province is now celebrating its 116th founding anniversary through the Adivay Festival this month  but with less funfare  given the  impact of typhoons Lawin and Karen recently leading to declaration of the province under state of calamity.

Gov. Crescencio Pacalso said the provincial government decided to  forego with activities such as parade and cañao and festivities have been toned down.

For this year, Adivay Festival is themed, “Benguet gains – our pride: Adopting change for inclusive human development”.

Activities included ecumenical service and kick-off program, pre-pageant of Mr. and Ms. Benguet at Ben Palispis Hall at Provincial Capitol on Nov. 12.

Buguias Foundation Day was also commemorated at Abatan, Buguias; Nov. 12 -13.

                Dongba ni Kavajo was held at Benguet Sports Center in Wangal with horse parade and opening program during the first day to include Amateur Muay Thai Combat at La Trinidad municipal gym and Twisted, The Highland Tour at the Capitol Grounds.

Opening of the two-week trade fair at the Benguet Sports Center was also held Nov. 12 in Wangal.

Adivay Bodybuilding Competition was held at Ben Palispis Hall, Capitol.

On Nov. 13 was Adivay Unplugged: Acoustic at the Trade Fair Stage, BSC.

On Nov. 14 was start of one week Health Fair at  BSC, and opening of the two-day Jobs Fair and Livelihood Interest Group Product Display at the  Capitol.

On Nov. 15 was a mass wedding at the San Jose Church here and the opening of the Agri-Tourism Fair at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Building, Wangal.

There was also be a two-day cultural conference which started Nov. 16 at the Ben Palispis Hall with various lectures on culture and the arts and a Mass Wedding at St. Paul Parish, Sayangan, Atok.

The following day was a Hataw Contest at the Multipurpose Gym, BSC.

On Nov. 18 was  an environmental forum in major thoroughfares like Halsema Highway, Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Kennon Rd., Marcos Highway.

Slated also were Small and Medium Enterprises Congress at Ben Palispis Hall and Barangay Health Workers Congress at the Multipurpose Gym, BSC and Healthy Lifestyle Day at the Trade Fair Stage, BSC.

On Nov. 19 was opening of the two-day 3rd Adivay Invitational Arnis Championship at the Covered Court, Capitol, Coronation Night of Mr. and Ms Benguet at the Multipurpose Gym, BSC and the Team Lakay Championship sports activities in Lomon, Kapangan.

Today (Nov. 20) will be the Battle of the Bands at the Multipurpose Gym, BSC.

                 On Nov. 21 will be a Skilled Workers Competition at  BSC, Small Scale Mining Congress at the Ben Palispis Hall, Capitol, Small Scale Mining Congress at the Ben Palispis Hall, Capitol, Farmers Event at the Benguet Cold Chain, Wangal, Eye-Check up Screening Day at the Covered Court, BSC. Both towns of Sablan and Kibungan will hold on the same day their respective Foundation Day celebrations.

On Nov. 22 will be Drum and Lyre Competition at the Grandstand, BSC, Medical, Dental and Surgical Mission at Central Kapangan, Dance Drama at the Multipurpose Gym, BSC, and the start of the two-day Diskwento Caravan.  Foundation Day of both Tublay and Atok towns will also be held on the same day.

Highlights on November 23, the actual foundation day, will be a program at the Multipurpose Gym, Benguet Sports Center (BSC), Wangal to be graced by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as guest speaker.  There will be Awards and Recognition of those who served the province and contributed to its development

Other activities include recognition of Clean and Green Awardees, Clean, Green and Bloom Awardees and Local Governance Awards, distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Award and a Talent Show.

                On Nov. 24 will be the opening of the two-day Environmental Health Summit at the Ben Palispis Hall and a basketball friendship game called “Friendship Meet” at the Capitol Main Building and Covered Court, Capitol.

On Nov. 25 will be the start of the two-day Invitational Shoot Fest at the Shilan Shooting Range here and Five to Revive Concert at the Trade Fair Stage, BSC.

The festivities with fun, merry making and jampacked activities will culminate on Nov. 26 tagged as, “A Day of Prayer” at the Trade Fair Stage, BSC. Other activities slated will be a Football Kasibulan Festival at the Benguet State University Football Field here, 4 by 4 car race  dubbed, “Speed Fest 2:The West Wing Assault” along the Shilan-Beckel Road, Fight Sports Tournament at BSU Gym here, and Song Competitions called “Adivay Unplugged: Acapella” at the Trade Fair Stage, BSC.