Bontoc Am-among fest set with exciting events

By Alpine Killa and Vilma Peckley

BONTOC, Mountain Province – This capital town is all set to celebrate its 111th founding anniversary and 15th Am-among Festival this September.

The town’s twin celebration has become a significant and well –attended occasion for the 16 barangays of the municipality as well as to tourist, and those who live and work in different places but traces their roots in Bontoc. 

Bannering on the theme “One Community, One History, One Future”, Mayor Franklin Odsey said this year’s celebrations focus on what makes Bontoc a remarkable community- from its rich history to the bright prospects for its future.

“The Bontoc community is more than the place, more than the town; it is the people and all that which makes us Ifontok,” Odsey said. 

The mayor said everyone who will be attending the celebrations will witness the rich culture and traditions of Bontoc and will enjoy what the municipality and its people have to offer.

He said there other activities are now included for this year for the public to take part and enjoy.

Odsey said that the town’s twin celebration will be highlighted by a multi-sectoral civic parade on Sept. 14 to celebrate the Bontoc founding anniversary and a street dancing parade and cultural presentation on Sept. 16.

Other scheduled activities for the week-long festival are: an Agro-Fair which aside from agriculture products, will also focus on ethnic woven products and native food; Help Save Chico River Raffle Draw; Night Market; Project Basil (Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa); Search for Mr. Am-among; Dog Fun Show; Neutering and Spaying simultaneous with Rabies Vaccination; Job Fair and PRC License Renewal; inter-school Folk Dance Competition; Ifontok Got Talent Finals (Got Talent? Join the Country Music Challenge); Cheer Dance Competition; Search for Lucky Am-among Visitor/s; Inter-LGU Volleyball Games; and Am-among Trail Run.

Country music lovers and enthusiasts were invited to showcase their talent.

According to Sangguniang Bayan member Jerome Tudlong, Jr., chairperson on Ifontok Got Talent committee, the Country Music Challenge is open to all amateur and professional solo singers who are residing in Bontoc. 

Contestants can select their piece which must not exceed seven minutes; must provide a live accompaniment or background music; and must wear decent and appropriate attire for the competition. 

The song can either be in English or Tagalog. Contestants may provide their back-up dancers and props for the contest but it is not considered for judging.

Interested individuals who want to join the competition may visit the Office of the Municipal Accountant, 3rd Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol to register and inquire about the contest. 

Chagsen is also inviting everyone to watch the competition and show their support to the performers on September 14, 2019, which will start at 7:00 in the evening at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Quadrangle. 

 Group performers and cheer squads who have the moves and the guts were invited to join the 2019 Cheer Dance Competition. 

Tudlong, Jr., who also chairs the 2019 Cheer Dance Competition committee said participating cheer squads are expected to be conversant with rules and safety requirements. 

 The competition is open to secondary, senior and tertiary levels in the 16 barangays of Bontoc. Each participating team is entitled to enter only one official group composed of eligible performers not less than 15 members and not more 25 in number.

A maximum of five additional numbers may be included who shall serve as spotters and/or props men for the team. The spotters and/or props men must wear a black uniform (t-shirt, pants, and shoes). Also, all performers must consist of both male and female who are bonafide enrolled students of the school they represent.

 Chagsen said routines must be within a minimum of five minutes to a maximum of seven minutes. Five points shall be deducted from the final score of each participating team for in excess of the allocated for time, inclusive of 30 seconds pre-setting and 30 seconds exit/pack-up and clean-up; routines may be accompanied by canned music and/ or a band of the school they represent; and routines must be appropriate for family viewing.

Thus, any vulgar or suggestive movements, words, or music may result in a point deduction. Uniforms must also be decent.

To ensure safety of performers, pyrotechnics and other similar dangerous or hazardous props are prohibited.

There is a limit of only two handhelds “safe props” to be used by the performers such as pompoms, flag lets placards plus one banner/streamer; pyramid formation is only allowed up to 10 feet high; and there shall be no dangerous lifting formation during the presentation to avoid any accident or serious injuries.

 Groups may register and inquire at the Office of the Municipal Accountant, 3rd Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. 

 The competition will be on Sept. 14, 2019, at 9 a.m. at Bontoc Municipal Capitol Quadrangle. 

Meanwhile, the public will once again be entertained by dance performances of school children.

The Folk Dance Competition which has been part of the activities of the municipality’s annual celebration is scheduled on Sept. 14 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Quadrangle. 

Tudlong, Jr. said that the contest is open to all elementary level in the 16 barangays of Bontoc. 

The composition of performers shall be a minimum of five pairs (10 dancers) and a maximum of six pairs (12 dancers). The composition of dancers should be a pair of a boy and a girl, and pairing of the same sex is not allowed. 

Also, dancers must interpret any folk dance published in the Philippine folk dance books and must wear an appropriate costume during the contest. Medley or combination of different dances is not allowed, five copies of the literature of the dance shall be submitted to the committee for the distribution to the members of the board of judges and participating schools shall have one entry each.

The performers will be judged on mastery, correct interpretation, choreography, costume and projection or poise and grace. 

Interested schools may submit their entries at the Office of the Municipal Accountant, 3rd Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.