Adivay fest on with, beauty tilt, concerts, cultural rites

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Adivay Festival in celebration of the 118th founding anniversary of the province is subdued with recent calamities that hit the province.   

Despite the hesitance among municipal officials due to the effects of disasters brought about by   monsoon rains and typhoons, Governor Crescencio Pacalso said the festival has to be carried out as it has been a practice and people look forward to it.  The municipalities are still encouraged to take part and extend whatever support they can, he added.

Adivay Festival is a yearly celebration which has been institutionalized through an ordinance.  It is a time to gather and come together to give thanks to the Almighty, to entertain, share blessings, have fun and enjoy. 

This year’s theme is “Benguet Culture – Unity, Industry, Prosperity: Managing Adversities with Excellence thru Enhanced Indigenous Resilience” anchored on the province’s culture and befits its resilience in times of challenges.

The month-long celebration kicked-off morning of Nov. 12 through an Ecumenical Service at the Ben Palispis Hall, followed by a program on the declaration of opening of the festivities at the Capitol Main Grounds.

In the afternoon was the Search for Mr. and Miss Benguet Darling of the Press followed by Battle of the Bands tagged, “Adivay Unplugged” both at capitol grounds.

The main program will be held on Nov/ 23 at the Ben Palispis Hall, Capitol highlighted by the Benguet Awards in recognition of the exemplary performance of individuals.

The  awards are  categorized as Leadership, Everlasting, Achievement, and Outstanding Student Leadership. Senator Cynthia Villar is the invited guest of honor of the occasion.

Cañao which is a socio-religious ritual where pigs or carabaos are butchered for thanksgiving and victory will no longer be performed during the Adivay, said Pacalso.

A “pamakan” will instead take place on Nov. 30 to offer butchered pigs in memory of the dead victims of the past calamities, he added.

Other activities included  a three-day Surgical Caravan from Nov. 13-15 at the Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace.

On Nov. 14 was a micro Small and Medium Enterprise Summit at the Ben Palispis Hall, Philippine Folk Dance Competition and Likhawitan at the Benguet Sports Complex (BSC) Multipurpose Gym in Wangal and a Poster and Slogan Making Contest at the Capitol covered court.

A two-day Jobs Fair on Nov. 15-16 was held at the Ben Palispis Hall. Awarding program of the Clean and Green project tagged as Green and Bloom was held Nov. 15 at the BSC Multipurpose Gym.

A newly enrolled activity for the year is the inter-municipality invitational Adivay Golf Cup On Nov. 16 at Pinewoods Golf and Country Club in Asin, Tuba. Other activities for the day are a Boodle Fight Meal for Farmers at the BAPTC Function Hall and Mr. and Miss Benguet Pre-Pageant at the Ben Palispis Hall.

In the morning of Nov. 17 wasa cultural dance performance at the BSC Multi-purpose Gym and Benguet Cultural Music Fest in the afternoon.  Arnis sports event was Nov. 17-18 at the Capitol covered court.

The Trade Fair will run from Nov. 19 - December 3 at the Trade Fair Area in Wangal while the Agri-Tourism Fair will run from Nov. 26 – Dec 1 at the Bagsakan Area in Wangal. Optical Services will be available on Nov. 19 at the Capitol Grounds.

Office of the Provincial Agriculture head Lolita Bentres assured the display and selling of agricultural produce and by-products during the Agro-Trade Fair but  it will no longer be that abundant.

Activities on Nov. 20 are Provincial Skills Competition at the BSC Multi-purpose Gym, and Health Caravan at the Northern Benguet District Hospital.

The Small Scale Mining Congress is slated on Nov. 21. Despite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ cease and desist order on the operations of small scale mining, Pacalso said this is to inform them  on what their future holds should there be a minahang bayan. 

An interpretative presentation of Benguet History will take place on Nov. 22 at the Capitol Lobby side by side with Health Fair at the BTS Gym in Wangal. 

On Nov. 24 will be a Land Congress at the Ben Palispis Hall, Taekwondo Friendship Games at the Capitol Covered Court, Provincial Kasibulan Footbal Festival at the Benguet State University Football Pitch and the Mr. and Miss Benguet Coronation Night.

 The two-day Dongba ni Kavajo will be held Nov. 24-25 at the BSC Grounds in Wangal while a Mountain Bike Fun Race and Mr. Adivay Body Building and Men’s Physique Competition will be held Nov. 25 at the BSC Grounds and BSC Multi-purpose Gym, respectively.

 On Nov. 27 will be the 4th First Aid Safety Olympics to be held at the BSC Grounds in Wangal.

 On Nov. 28 will be Oral Health Services and Eye Check-up Screening at the BTS Gym in Wangal, Farmers’ Event at the Bagsakan Area in Wangal and Environmental Forum along major thoroughfares.  On the same day, Kabayan will celebrate its 118th Founding Anniversary.

Indigenous games for the youth are set on Nov. 29 at the Trade Fair Area followed by a Day of Prayer at the Ben Palispis Hall. A two-day Diskwento Caravan will be staged from Nov. 29 to 30 at the Bagsakan Area.

On Nov. 30 will be a Kapetirya showcasing Benguet Arabica Coffee and promotion of its by-products at the Bagsakan area, an inter-municipality Battle of the Bands at the BSC Multi-purpose Gym and a Jesus Reigns Religious activity at the Capitol Covered Court.

On Dec. 1 will be a Music Battle of the Bands for High School students at the BSC Trade Fair Stage.  

 A two-day Muay Thai Tournament and Dirt Dash 2, a car racing event will be held Dec. 8-9 at the BSC Multi-purpose Gym and BSC Elevated Area, respectively.

Local officials are inviting the public to participate in the various activities of  the Adivay Festival. -- JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Benguet