LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The province of Benguet will open on Monday the 12th Adivay Festival which coincides with the 107th foundation anniversary of the province focused on strengthening the culture of the i-Benguet.
The Adivay festival, an Ibaloi word meaning coming together and having fun, is an annual agri-tourism event focused on rediscovering the ingenuity of the Benguet people, their rich history, culture, arts, trades and industries.
Governor Cresencio Pacalso said different committees have been formed to prepare for the big event.
Other committees have been assigned to prepare for different activities geared towards cultural preservation coming up with activities like exhibits, fora, job fair, entertainment and others that are linked to the lives of the Benguet people.
The celebration will kick off on Monday at the Capitol grounds with an ecumenical service followed by the search for Mr. and Miss Benguet candidates’ presentation.
There will be a mass wedding, job fair and a medical, dental surgical mission on Tuesday.
The agri and techno fair at the Benguet Sport Center featuring potato fiesta will open to the public on Wednesday.
”We wanted our people not just to come and enjoy the festival but at the same time we wanted to offer them opportunities to have work, to avail of free medical services, learn from the different fora and to know more about the culture, belief and practices of the other tribes,” Pacalso said.
"Benguet Culture, Our Future: Sustaining Cultural Identity Amidst Global Changes" is the theme for the 2017 Adivay festival.
Pacalso added that this year’s Adivay will have a mining forum, the province being host to the biggest gold mining companies as well as numerous small scale mining activities which has become a source of income of the locals.
There will also be a land congress, Feminism and Democracy forum, Gospel art show, Dongba ni Kavajo (horse racing), Philippine folk dance competition, skills competition, farmers’ event and several sports competitions.
The biggest Bendian dance, an upbeat dance of the i-Benguet, which has earned national recognition after winning in various cultural festivals in Metro Manila, will also be featured as the festival’s highlight. (PNA)
