Events set for Bontoc Am- among fest, foundation day

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- This capital town is celebrating its 115th Foundation Day and 19th Am-among Festival with activities this September. 
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., said the town’s Foundation Day will be celebrated Sept. 15, with civic parade and program to be graced by guest of honor and speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Macli-ing Solang.
    Ground demonstrations will be held that day by high school students from barangays whrein indigenous games will be played. 
    After three years of a scaled-down celebration due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the most-awaited Am-among street dancing and cultural presentations is set Sept, 16.
    Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional sirector Araceli San Jose is keynote speaker during the program. 
    Other activities held earlier were sports festival cum Chagsen Cup August 28 – Sept. 16, fun ride with tree planting held Sept. 2, PRC mobile outreach services and PhilSys mobile registration Sept. 8, Mr. and Ms. Am-among 2023 Pre-Pageant on Sept. 9, agri-craft trade fair and thanksgiving mass Sept. 11.
    Art exhibit was set Sept, 11-15, walk for a cause Sept. 12, sing and dance competition on Sept. 12, Am-among inter-zonal skills challenge Sept. 13 and Mr and Ms Am-among 2023 coronation night on Sept. 13. 

    Mayor Tudlong said the twin celebration serves as a milestone of what Bontoc has achieved and progress it continues to make as a community. 

    This year’s theme is, "Radiating good governance through accelerated public service."

    “Let us take a moment to appreciate the strides we have made in improving public service delivery. However, let us also commit ourselves to continuous improvement, aspiring to raise the bar even higher     Together, we can radiate good governance by actively participating in community development initiatives and promoting dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders. By embracing active citizenship and collaboration, we can create a thriving municipality that meets the needs of its populace,” the mayor added.