LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial government lined up a number of simple but meaningful activities to celebrate the province’s 121st founding anniversary through Adivay amidst the prevailing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to help in gradually and safely reviving the local economy that had been impacted by the previous restrictions.
Gov. Melchor Diclas disclosed that the theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Resilient and HEALTHIER Benguet – Flourishing in the Midst of Adversity’ which is aimed at demonstrating the province’s ongoing efforts to recover from the prevailing crisis and to bring back the robust economic activities of the people.
The Benguet foundation anniversary and Adivay activities will fire off on November 8, 2021 with an ecumenical service and the kick off program at the Provincial Capital grounds.
Trekking enthusiasts will have the chance to do their outdoor activities during the Man Alibay ed Dontog or the Man Adivay Shi Shontog at Mount Ulap in Ampucao, Itogon on November 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19, 2021.
Further, job seekers will have the chance to land in gainful employment through the online Jobs Fair scheduled on November 15, 2021 where the link for the same will be provided for the public to have access to the same.
There will also be a skills competition on corsage making, table skirting with centerpiece flower arrangement on November 17, 2021 at the Ben Palispis Hall.
The public will have a chance to view the so-called Adivay Unplugged, an online acoustic singing competition, which will be held on November 18, 2021 at the Ben Palispis Hall.
On November 19, 2021, the public will be entertained through online viewing of the inter-municipality Battle of the Bands which will be held at the Ben Palispis Hall to give the participants the appropriate break to cope up with the challenges of the ongoing restrictions to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
On the same day, the culminating program of the Teachers Day will be held at the Benguet State University (BSU) gymnasium to allow the active participation of the teachers during the celebration of the province’s founding anniversary and Adivay.
The province will be conferring the Service Awards to the deserving individuals and groups during a program that will be held at the Ben Palispis Hall on November 22, 2021 where the same will be followed by the agri-skills competition which will be held at the Wangal Sports Complex.
On November 23, 2021, the province will be holding a canao and healing ritual at the Wangal Sports Complex which will be followed by the sepnak on November 24, 2021.
On the same day, there will be a recognition and awarding of the model livestock and poultry farmer or association with integrated farming system and best rabies program implementers.
Bike enthusiasts will have a chance to join the fun during the Fun Bike Ride on November 26, 2021 followed by the non-contact sports such as inter-local government competition on December 2-3, 2021.
The taekwondo invitations and other similar sports events will cap the month-long celebration that is expected to bring back the vibrance of community-based activities leading to a better normal for the benefit of being able to recover from the heavy impact inflicted by the ongoing pandemic to the lives of the people, especially their employment and their economic activities and sources of livelihood that had been virtually stopped. By Dexter A. See