The programs and activities of the 15th Lang-ay Festival and 52nd Founding Anniversary of Mountain Province with the theme, Nurturing Cultural Traditions through Indigenous Peoples Education shall be celebrated on April 6 and 7, respectively.
Some representatives from the 10 towns of Mountain Province shall participate and showcase their cultural dances and chants thru street dancing and showdown during the Lang-ay festival. Added activities will be lang-ay (lunch) at the Eyeb grounds of the Mountain Province Comprehensive General Comprehensive High School, indigenous games, extemporaneous speech contest and gangsa night.
Regional Director Janet P. Armas of the Department of Social Welfare and Development–Cordillera Administrative Region, and Secretary Isidro S. Lapeńa of the Technical Education and Skills Development shall be the keynote speaker and guest of honor and speaker, respectively.
On the other hand, the Foundation Day of Mountain Province shall be commemorated by laying of wreaths and candle lighting at the Governors’ memorial area, thanksgiving mass, and a short program at the provincial plaza on April 7, 2019.
The keynote speaker in this momentous day will be Assistant Secretary Cheryl L. Daytec Yangot of the Department of Justice, while Kabayan Party List Ron P. Salo shall be the guest of honor and speaker.
The double celebrations shall commence on April 1 with a civic parade, traditional opening ritual, opening of the agro-industrial fair, Lang-ay by the Street, Mountain Province Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) battle of the bands and Lang-ay Concert. The latter concert shall also be featured on April 2,3 and 5, 2019.
In April 3, the Philippine Red Cross shall facilitate a variety show and raffle bonanza, while in April 3-4, skills demo, competency assessment and beauty care and massage shall managed by the Technical Vocational Education Training of MP-TESDA.
The coronation night of 2019 Miss Mountain Province coupled with surgical mission was scheduled in April 4. The latter shall continue on April 5-6, 2019.
Mobile passport processing, quiz bee on history and culture of Mountain Province, health and wellness services and governor’s night shall be done on April 5.
Other support activities that were organized by private groups in April 7 are the following: 1st Montañosa ride for a cause that was organized by the MP riders club, MP Ultra marathon trail to road adventure by the Tawid multipurpose group, and 1st Montañosa enduro challenge by the Mountain Province trail riders group.
In an interview with Hon. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., Provincial Governor of Mountain Province, he is extending his invitation to everyone to come and celebrate with the people of Mountain Province the annual commemoration of the historical founding anniversary of the province and the celebration of the Lang-ay festival that showcases the rich customs and traditions of the people of Mountain Province.
By Francis B. Degay