BONTOC, Mtn. Province– In a post assessment meeting of the stakeholders on the just concluded twin events in the province conducted last April 20, 2017, commendations were accorded the organizers, particularly the Lang-ay Festival Organization headed by Paulino Tumapang, Jr, for the success of this province’s mother of festivals.
The assessment was to rate the commemoration of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the province and the Lang-ay Festival 2017 that were both conducted from April 3-9, 2017. The Golden Anniversary program was held on April 7, 2017.
Suggestions were made to make next year’s events better. However, even as the suggestions were noted, it was agreed that the proposed innovations would be brought up again during the planning later this year. These are to make the succeeding Lang-ay Festivals worth waiting for.
The commemoration of the Foundation Anniversary was also cited as successful with the acknowledgment and honoring of the past officials, governors and congressmen for the last 50 years and the first set of provincial officials.
Philippine National Police chief General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa who served as Guest of Honor and Speaker during the occasion was adopted and given the native name “Moling”, which literally means a hard rock.
During the civic parade prior to the main program, the municipalities portrayed significant developments that transpired in the respective municipalities within the last 50 years. A golden baby born closest to midnight of April 6, 2017 was also recognized and was given some monetary award.
The Regional Development Council meeting was also conducted in the town in the afternoon of April 7, 2017.
Regarded as a crowd drawer, the Lang-ay Festival featured street dancers and cultural performers of the various tribes and municipalities of the province with the exception of Natonin and Paracelis that opted not to participate this year due to the unfortunate incident involving the killing of a former police chief of the town.
Observers say that this year’s edition of the Lang-ay Festival indicated that the glamour of the provincial fest is coming back comparable to the earlier versions in terms of audience and spectators, foreign and local tourists who were visibly seen around. Estimates of the crowds was not, however, secured.
But the Lang-ay by the Street was observed to be also the well-attended event when the spirit of Lang-ay was demonstrated with the free serving of indigenous foods and drinks on the main street in front of the public market.
The big patopat, not the biggest as the organizers say that next year and after that will feature the biggest one, was partaken of by those who waited for the rain to stop. Women elders of Fuyayeng and Omfeg prepared the main feature of the event.
Sinab-ang, sticky rice and camote, was also a delight for many who recalled the taste of the old delicacy. This was the handiwork of the women of the Chaleya Organization.
Lang-ay wine and other local fruit wines were served by the “Panagbenga Hotties” who added flavor to the festivities.
The Gangsa night culminated this year’s festival with locals and tourists, domestic and foreign, dancing the night away as the municipal performers played the gongs and traditional dances with gusto to the delight and the merriment of all.
Awards were also given during the night to the winners of the Street Dancing, Cultural Presentations, and the Indigenous Games, etc.
During the assessment meeting, Lang-ay Festival Chairperson Paulino Tumapang, Jr. expressed profuse thanks and appreciation to the various personalities, groups and offices, including the working committees, who greatly contributed to the success of the twin events.
“I thank our sponsors who have contributed much to the realization of the events, especially the Lang-ay by the Street”, Tumapang finally quipped.**Roger Sacyaten
