Kalinga hosts tourism, cultural affairs in ‘ber’ months

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) – -Kalinga province will host various cultural and tourism activities these ‘BER’ months highlighted with festivities showcasing Kalinga’s hospitality trademark.
The Provincial Local Government Unit committed its full support as it joins other provinces celebrate World Tourism Day spearheaded by DOT, Cooperative Month, and National Indigenous Peoples Month in collaboration with the business and private sector.
On September 27, in line with the celebration of the World Tourism Day, was the formal opening of the Magangab and Maanus caves at Sitio Bagwang, Tawang in Balbalan which includes trekking and a cave tour. Magangab and Maanus caves are among five caves located at Tawang classified as Class II by the Regional Cave Committee on May 19, 2018.
Also on September 27 was the conferment of Hiyas Award for Indigenous Art by the Cultural Center of the Philippines to Maria “Whang-od” Oggay, the oldest living Kalinga “mambabatok”(traditional Kalinga tattooist), held at St. Louis University, Baguio City. Former Punong Barangay Rudy Oggay of Buscalan, younger brother of Whang-od, received the award in her behalf. Whang-od’s acceptance speech was delivered through video.
On October 30 was the Zebel Got Talent in Kalinga. Registration and audition started October 1 at the Provincial Tourism Office for singers, dancers, artists.
On November 18-19, Kalinga will host the Miss Earth 2022 to promote and sustain the tourism industry, women empowerment, environment conservation, and the promotion of Kalinga textile. There will also be a tree planting, motorcade, meet and greet dinner. Signing of the memorandum of agreement between the PLGU and pageant organizers was done on September 29.
On September 30 was the Art in the Park, a collaborative tourism event that will gather local visual artists to promote the Cordillera culture through arts and creativity. The main purpose is to create works of art that will show the solidarity of the region in making tourism as a main catalyst for recovery and transformation while also highlighting the unique Cordillera culture and identity as our contribution towards the development of the Filipino brand. Artworks will be exhibited in Baguio City in November.
On October 20 to December 20 will be the Arat Na! Intaku Caravan to Tabuk, a business tour of about 50-70 multi-national and international companies engaged in food, fashion, cars, motors, bike, among others, for them to feel Kalinga’s business friendly environment for future investments.
On October 22 at 6:00 PM at the Kalong Sports Center would be a benefit show on the life of Whang-od produced by Zebel TV in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month. The movie offers free admission as part of the corporate social responsibility of Zebel Entertainment, Inc. and funds to be raised from sponsors will be given to Buscalan.
On October 25-28, in celebration of the Cooperative Month, are four tour packages in support of micro, small, medium enterprises with 500 expected participants eager to experience the Chico River white water rafting, At the forefront of the celebration would be Ranch ATV Adventures Kalinga, Awichon Heritage Village, and Buscalan Tattoo Village.
On October 30 would be the Zebel Got Talent in Kalinga. Registration and audition started October 1 at the Provincial Tourism Office for singers, dancers, and other artists.
On November 18-19, Kalinga will host the Miss Earth 2022 to promote and sustain the tourism industry, women empowerment, environment conservation, and the promotion of Kalinga textile. There will also be a tree planting, motorcade, meet and greet dinner. Signing of the memorandum of agreement between the PLGU and pageant organizers was done on September 29.
Welcoming the year 2023 will be the Artifacts Exhibition in support of the opening of the Kalinga Cultural Center and Museum (KCCM). The law authored by Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang that created KCCM provides for it to be the institutional arm of NCCA in the whole of Northern Luzon. **JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga