Tourists, folks flock Adivay fest events; grand canao set

Benguet revelries 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Tourists, visitors and local folks are now flocking the  2023 month-long Adivay festival in this capital town and celebration of the 122nd founding anniversary of Benguet with exciting events.
    This, after celebrations kicked off Nov, 6 at Provincial Capitol grounds.
    Theme of this year’s festivities is ‘Benguet: Gateway to Unforgettable Getaways.’
    Gov. Melchor D. Diclas said Adivay kicked off earlier with the traditional Kapihan sa Benguet at the Ben Palispis auditorium starting with eucharistic celebration followed by pre-pageant for the Search for Mr. and Miss Benguet on Nov. 6.
    Vice Gov. Ericson “Tagel” Felipe during the kickoff, talked about “honoring the past, reveling in the present, and recognizing the resilience and integrity of the people of Benguet.” 
    The highlight will be the Grand Cañao on Nov. 23, a feast with 30 pigs and two cows to share with the community, including tourists.
    Activities include lapan (rabbit meat) cooking contest, pageant, cultural dance competitions, Benguet quiz bee, job fair, and even a mass wedding for Benguet couples.     
    Mining stakeholders participated in the Mining and Environment Forum at Benguet Sports Complex (BSC) gymnasium on Nov. 9 followed by opening of the agro-industrial trade fair, 2nd Adivay quiz bee and Benguet cultural dance performance on Nov. 11.
    Cultural dance troupes of the municipalities of Benguet stirred anew the consciousness of the Benguet people of their rich cultural heritage with story-telling through cultural dances and performances.
    The Cultural Performances Competition was showcased Nov, 11 at the BSC.
    Diclas said Benguet people WERE proud of their cultural heritage and through it, they WERE being bound as one.
    He added performances emphasized significance of preserving cultural wealth of the province.
    Students from the Lepanto National High School of Mankayan, Benguet told the story of “Sangbo” that featured a ritual for good luck brought about by a mysterious event.
    They received P40,000 cash prize for their performance.
    Meantime, the Municipality of Buguias represented by Buguias National High School students performed the story of “Dang-as” highlighting the culture of “Ubbo” or community cooperation. The students went home with P35,000 cash prize for their effort.
    The Municipality of Kapangan represented by students of Gov. Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School, on the other hand, showcased the Legend of “Pongayan” narrating the story of Sayod, a “beautiful lady with buxom bosoms” as they placed third, earning them the P30,000 cash prize.
    In other developments, La Trinidad was awarded the Best in Storyline, Itogon with Best Folkloric Performance, and Bokod as Best in Visual Impact Award. Each was given P5,000 cash prize.
    All Benguet towns are now showcasing their agri-tourism destinations through opening of the fair at the Benguet Sports Complex on Nov. 14, 2023 followed by the traditional acoustic competition Nov. 15 at Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium.
    Lat Nov. 16, activities included the Senior Citizens Adivay at Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium; skills competitions at the trade fair area in Wangal; inter-local government unit volleyball championships at the Capital covered court; Farmer’s Day at cold chain area and Stellar Health Achievements yearly Awards (SHAYAW) at Ben Palispis auditorium.
    The inter-local government unit basketball championship is on at the Capitol covered court while the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet pre-pageant was held at the Sports Complex gymnasium on Nov. 17.
    The Benguet Fusion Fashion Showcase was held at the Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium Nov. 18.
    The annual Children’s Congress, the Lapan, rabbit meat, cooking contest and the awarding of the Best Integrated Farming System and Best Rabies Program Implementer is set on Nov. 21.
    The Benguet Awards Program will be held at the New Town Plaza Hotel in Baguio city on Nov. 22.
    The Benguet Day grand parade will be held Nov. 23 followed by Grand Can֮ao at the Benguet Sports Complex and Battle of the Bands at the gymnasium.
    The Agri-Tourism fair will come to a close Nov. 24, followed by the Coronation Night of the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet on Nov. 25 all happening at the Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium.
    Biking enthusiasts will show their skills in the Hari ng Ahon Bike Challenge from the Ambuclao dam area to Beckel; the annual dance sports at the Ben Palispis Hall and closing of the agro-industrial trade fair on Nov. 26.
    The event entitled Jesus Reigns is set Nov. 27, 2023 followed by mass wedding of couples at the St. Paul Parish in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet on Nov. 28.
    Employees and officials of the provincial government will be participating in the Employees Adivay Night at the Capitol covered court on Dec. 1, while the annual Adivay and Benguet founding anniversary activities will commence with Christmas lighting on the same day.
    On Dec. 2, bodybuilders will show their prowess during bodybuilding competition at Ben Palispis Hall while the Adivay Fusion Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition will be held at Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium on Dec. 9.
    Benguet officials earlier urged the people of Benguet and visitors to patronize  activities to ensure successful conduct of this year’s celebration considering the province is still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. – With a report from Aldwin Quitasol