CITY OF TABUK– It’s all systems go for the 22nd Kalinga founding anniversary and the first Bodong festival next month.
Gov. Jocel Baac issued Executive Order No. 2016-33 enjoining everyone’s participation in the 22nd founding anniversary and celebration of the first Bodong Festival on February 12-14
Lined up activities include an industrial fair which will run from Feb. 6-14; bike fest on Feb. 11; agri-fair from 12-14; search for Miss Kalinga, elementary drum and lyre competition on the 12th; and jobs fair from Feb. 13-14.
Street dancing will be held on Feb. 13 with the ‘Lonok’ and ‘Inum’ to culminate the cultural show. There will be Regional Development Council Advisory Committee meeting in the afternoon.
On Feb. 14 which is the Foundation Day will start with the grand civic parade, the anniversary program, secondary drum and lyre competition, and will culminate with a Valentines concert and fireworks display in the evening
The events’ theme is “Bodong: Foundation for Lasting Peace and Progress”.
The “Awong Chi Gangsa” staged in 2014 and 2015 during the province’s Foundation Day and Ullalim festival will not push through as part of the celebration this year, Provincial Administrator Kristian Wandag informed
The Ullalim festival was changed to Bodong Festival by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-029 to rekindle in the people of Kalinga the time-honored custom and tradition of peacemaking through the Bodong.
Ullalim according to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members is limited in practice among a few ethnic groups while the Bodong is the most popular practice in all Kalinga sub-tribes including parts of Mountain Province. **By Peter A. Balocnit