BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) — The Municipality of Bontoc celebrated its 117th Founding Anniversary and the 21st Am-among Festival on September 16, 2025, with the theme: “Bontoc in Step with One Cordillera: Stronger Together.”
Mayor Franklin Odsey emphasized that the celebration is an excellent opportunity to reinforce shared vision for a united Cordillera—moving forward together through community effort and collaboration.
“Bontoc has been a convergence of culture, traditions, and communities. As the capital town of the old Mountain Province, it embodies the strength of the Cordillera—strong yet compassionate, diverse yet united, rooted in heritage but open to new possibilities,” he said.
A highlight of the celebration was the Am-among Festival Skills Challenge on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) participated by trained responders from Bontoc and other municipalities in the Cordillera Region who shared their best practices on DRRM and climate change adaptation, and fostered community resiliency and camaraderie.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, the invited guest of Honor represented by Florinda Princess Duque, recognized the unity of Bontoc as depicted in the theme. He cited that the municipality’s culture and tradition led to the continued recognition of Bontoc in the Cordillera.
Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., highlighted the importance of celebrating heritage, emphasizing that traditional dances help preserve the culture and showcase the richness of Bontoc’s history.
“In celebrations like this, we see the diverse cultures inherited from our elders. The customs and warm community spirit are ways of honoring our traditions. This is where we can showcase the richness and beauty of the Bontoc’s culture,” he stated.
Sampling the town’s rich heritage, the festival featured a cultural competition with two categories: the Takik (marriage dance) and Pinanyo-an (courtship dance). Barangay Dalican dominated the competition, winning both categories.
Barangay Callutit came in second for the Takik Dance followed by Barangay Alab Proper in third place and Barangay Can-eo in 4th Place. For the Pinanyo-an, Barangay Alab Proper placed second while barangays Callutit and Can-eo came in 3rd and 4th, respectively.
The celebration serves as a reminder of Bontoc’s rich history and ongoing progress, with local leaders reaffirming their commitment to unity, public service, and sustainable development.
Bontoc celebrates its foundation day every 16th day of September by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 35, s. 1997, which cited that based on official records, Bontoc was proclaimed as the capital town of old Mountain Province on September 16, 1908. **JDP/VJLT/JFI-PIA-CAR, Mountain Province
