‘Bato’ MP 50th foundation day speaker; Lang-ay fest events set

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC Mountain Province -- Philippine National Police Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa is speaker for the Mountain Province’s 50th golden jubilee founding anniversary on April 7.

De la Rosa shall be introduced by former Natonin mayor Marie Banaag, a lawyer and current Assistant Secretary for Operations of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

Mountain Province was operationalized in April 7, 1967. This,  after former President  Fidel Ramos declared April 7 as the  Mt Province  Foundation Day  by virtue of  Proclamation No  144  based on  the first resolution passed by the  provincial legislative board declaring the birth of a new Mountain Province in April 7, 1967.

The  golden jubilee event shall be noted  with the  awarding of  recognition to the Province’s former officials - governor Alfredo Lamen, vice governor Victor Dominguez,  congressman  Luis Hora, and board members Pio Felwa and Alejo Manao- when the old Mountain Province composed of Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao and Kalinga (BIBAK) was divided in 1967 by virtue of  RA 4695.  

Also, the first elected officials in 1968 of the new Mountain Province shall especially be recognized- former governor Lam-en, vice Governor Jaime Gomez, board members Alejo, Manao and Alfonso Layog.

Other speakers during the 50th anniversary of the Province are Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan and Vice Gov. Francis Tauli.

Search for the golden healthy baby born April 7 shall especially be held

The 50th jubilee anniversary event is co- celebrated with 10 days of Lang-ay festivities and events to start with the Search for Ms Mountain Province on March 30. 

This shall be followed with healthy activities on April 1 on to April 7 with a Walk, dental mission, and wellness events.

The  festival’s agro-trade fair  opens on  April 3 featuring  the  10 towns’  products especially the ‘etag’ and organic vegetables from Sagada, ‘vayash’ and legumes from Sadanga,   pottery and  lang-ay wines from  Bauko, muscovado from Besao, heirloom rice from Tadian, banana chips from Sabangan, ‘patopat’ from Bontoc, abaca products from Natonin and ‘balladang’ from Paracelis.

Woven items, coffee Arabica and processed food like jams and jellies are common products found in 

almost all of the 10 towns of the Province.

Indigenous sports- fagfagto id wanga, sangkhor, inet-etan and khug-uyud-held April 4 to 8 shall be participated by the towns’ delegates. The much awaited street dancing and cultural presentations from the 10 towns of the Province shall be observed April 8 along with indigenous cook fest and gangsa night on same day.  An ethnic fashion show shall especially be seen on April 7.

Mountain Province is inhabited by five major tribes- Kankanaey and Applai from western and south west towns Sagada, Tadian, Bauko and Sabangan; Bontoc from Bontoc and Sadanga; Baliwon and Balangao from eastern towns Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis.   

A Kataguan caravan shall be participated by a number of car and truck drivers on April 6 to drum support for financial assistance to the high costing ailment of dialysis patients. Proceeds of the fundraising activity through the sale of tickets for the Province’s more than a 100 dialysis patients shall especially be noted April 6.   

The 10- day twin observance of the golden jubilee anniversary of the Province and 13th Lang-ay festival    is preceded with volleyball and basketball events February to March. Culminating the event is a humanitarian trail marathon sponsored by Red Cross on April 9.