Bontoc Am-among Festival activities set

By Wabilyn Mana-od

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Activities have been set September for the Am-among Festival and the foundation day of this capital town to promote it as eco-cultural destination in Mountain Province, local officials said.

               

The festival is now on its 8th year and has turned out to be a very significant and well attended occasion.

               

It has become a yearly celebration showcasing the participation of the sixteen barangays of the capital town including the involvement of the community.

               

Officials said it is a celebration of cultural unity amidst customary and traditional diversity that makes the strong foundation of the occasion.

               

It shall draw attention of foreign and local tourists so that Bontoc will not just be a passage way of tourists going to the tourist towns of Sagada in Mountain Province and andBanaue in Ifugao.    

               

The municipal government through Mayor Pascual Sacgaca urged barangays, sectoral representatives and other stakeholders for support in drawing up ideas to  improve Am-among activities.

               

Following this, different activities were approved during a meeting.

               

The theme for this year’s Am-among: “Surviving change through the promotion of eco-cultural tourism” was suggested by the National Commission on Indigenous People’s tribal affairs assistant that was later adopted.    

               

The festival includes street dancing and cultural presentation chaired by the municipal civil registrar.

               

 The municipal health office chairs the feeding activity wherein constituents will come together for sumptuous meals.

               

An agro-industrial trade fair will be chaired by the municipal agriculture office while the Miss Am-among pageant would be handled by the organization Minamagkit.

               

Indigenous games will be under the NCIP through Lilibeth Chapap.

               

The Bontoc Tourism Promotion Website will also be opened by Joel Fagsao.

               

A photo exhibit on cultural heritage and nature wonders and unveiling of the Bontoc tourism map will be handled by CLIKLATO while launching of the new Bontoc Tourism Council chaired by PaulinoTumapang.                    

Councilor Jerome Tudlong will handle a talent show while folk dances will be chaired by the ABC and SK president.

               

Other activities and those who will handle these include book launching by Florence Kittong; sports competition, Councilor Ignacio Afidchao and Zenith Rose Dalog; darts competition and bike fun ride, Vice Mayor’s Office; chorale competition, Zenith Rose Dalog and tennis tournament by Councilor Constancio Miranda.               

               

The civic parade will be on Sept. 15 while cultural presentation, street dancing competition and other activities were set Sept. 17.

               

Other activities will be on Sept. 10. Chairpersons were earlier requested to submit schedule of activities to the mayor’s office.