NATONIN, Mountain Province – The commemoration of the 108th Foundation Day of the municipality has opened preparations for the Sas-aliwa Festival!
Last March 10, 2025, a simple yet significant commemoration program was held at the Open Gym here with Board Member Federico Onsat as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Tracing the history of Natonin, Onsat called for the people to pay homage to the sacrifices and dedication of the past leaders and personalities who “led us to what Natonin is today”.
“Let us follow the generosity and wisdom of our past leaders and people that ushered peace and progress to our municipality”, he said.
He urged the audience to bestow to the children the good deeds and characters of the past leaders and people in the celebration of the Foundation Day of the town.
In June of 1962, the municipality of Paracelis separated from Natonin, he regarded the municipality as a mother that weaned a child in order for the offspring to carve his own destiny.
The mayor, Jose Agagon, emphasized that the progress of Natonin would not have been attained without the cooperation and unity of all iNatonin. He asked everyone to support the programs and projects of the municipal government to further the progress and prosperity for all.
Meanwhile, the occasion was also the opportunity for the participants in the cultural project IPALAKSUN: Transfer of Knowledge in the Playing of Indigenous Musical Instruments by Cultural Masters to Students of Natonin.
In the presence of Kimiko Malazarte, representative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) based in Manila, the young people performed by playing the Chongachong and Balembeng while a couple danced the courtship dance.
The presentations were made intermissions during the program as the participants performed the Patanggok and Patatag with the accompaniment of Onnat and Kulembang as background music.
The performance of a Bamboo Ensemble with the simultaneous playing of all the musical instruments rendered a harmony of sounds and beats along with dances characterized in the
eastern side.
All the performers wearing native garbs played with gusto amidst the applause from the audience. The NCCA provided financial assistance for the practices of the performers.
“We thank the provincial government and the municipal government for requesting this kind of project. We help in preserving your culture for posterity’s sake”, he said.
