BONTOC, Mtn. Province – “A testament to the unwavering passion for cultural preservation and tourism development!”
Thus, the Regional Office of the Department of Tourism has awarded a Plaque of Recognition to the provincial government of Mountain Province “for their contribution to the promotion of cultural tourism through the continuous celebration of its Lang-ay Festival”.
Last May 25, 2023 at the Baguio Country Club’s hall and along with the municipalities of Sagada, Bauko, and Bontoc, the provincial Lang-ay Festival of the province was recognized as the manifestation of the unwavering efforts of the provincial government to promote culture and tourism.
It is to be noted that Lang-ay Festival has been conceptualized by the late Governor Maximo Dalog, Sr. in 2004 and was first staged in 2005 with the objective of having a day or two when the people of the province, living abroad or in the country, to come together with the locals to celebrate happiness and rekindle friendships and family ties amidst the partaking of indigenous food and homebrewed wines.
It spawned the birth of municipal festivals, including that of the municipalities, that led to the celebrations of the different but unique and colorful cultures of the province.
The provincial government then continued the tradition of holding the Lang-ay Festival as a tool for the celebration of the Founding Anniversary of the province every year with the exemption of the three years of the COVID 19 pandemic.
This year was the 16th Lang-ay Festival as it was first held on 2005.**Roger Sacyaten
