Ifugao town holds new fest to preserve culture

HINGYON, Ifugao -- Aside from the annual “Gotad ad Hingyon”, this municipality added   another festival  to preserve  its rich cultural practices.

Barangay Anao recently held the first 3-day “Tunawon” festival (second cropping of the traditional “Tinawon” rice)   which was attended by more than a thousand villagers and visitors from other municipalities.

Tinawon rice is harvested once a year or one cropping only, however, with the introduction of modern technology, farmers or planters of the traditional rice variety can now have two croppings a year to increase their yields.

Tam-an Multi-purpose Cooperative chief executive officer Jose Tomas who led the three-day event, explained that the harvest festival   recognizes the native farmers who continue to preserve the Ifugao culture.

The festival that features cultural and modern activities    culminated with   contest on street dancing, ‘Hudhud hi botok’ (Hudhud chanting while harvesting), ‘Haydun di Yuyu’ (fish catching), and ‘Binakle’ (native cake) making demonstration.

A seminar on biological farming and the groundbreaking on the Anao-Burnay road were also conducted.

 Orlando Ravanera, chairman of the Cooperative Development Authority who served as the guest speaker during the event, enjoined the people of Hingyon to help regain back and protect the rice terraces, the amazing wonder of the world.

"Let's help each other to revive that vanishing God's creation," he enjoined.

In her message through a video presentation, Senator. Cynthia Villar lauded the people of Anao, Hingyon for conducting the "Tunawon" festival that promotes the benefit of natural sustainable farming not only to farmers but also to consumers.  She informed   that a P5 million- worth assistance will be provided for the establishment of a pilot organic farm and scholarship to farm schools in Anao. -- PIA Ifugao