BESAO, Mountain Province – The municipal government will be celebrating the town’s 113th founding anniversary and 9th Ubaya festival on March 1-4, 2017 with the theme “Recollecting History Through Culture, Working Together for change and Development.
Mayor Johnson Bantog II said retired Director Eugene G. Martin of the Philippine National Police (PNP), a native of the municipality, will be the town’s guest of honor and speaker during the opening program of the Ubaya festival on Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
On February 28, visitors are expected to arrive to join the Night of Fellowship at the municipal gymnasium.
The opening day activities will formally start with a civic parade followed by the opening program that will be highlighted by a ground demonstration and the opening of the agro-industrial fair.
Various ball games will also kick off which will be followed by the St. James High School musical play for a cause.
On March 2, the public will be entertained with streetdancing followed by the various indigenous and parlor games as well as the continuation of ball games, after which the day will be capped by the Search for Besao Got Talent.
On March 3, the town’s entry to the Lang-ay festival will perform an exhibition while the ball games will continue highlighted by the inter-agency friendship games and the second round of the SJHS musical play for a cause.
On March 4, sports enthusiasts will have their chance to participate in the local darts tournament, amazing race, wushu and wrestling matches capped by a colourful closing program.
For the Tepeng which will be held at the Tinagapan ground on the opening day with tents set up for each zone. Bantog reminded the public that hard drinks will not be allowed in the Tepeng arena while residents and visitors are required to bring their own eating paraphernalia, however, styrofoams, plastic spoons, plastic bags and other non-biodegradable materials will not be allowed in the Tepeng arena
He urged the public to observe proper sanitation and segregation or disposal of waste to maintain cleanliness and orderliness everywhere.
The fourteen barangays will be cooking their own food to be brought to the Tepeng arena in time for the community lunch during the opening day.
Among the indigenous games that will be played are tug-of-war, tolsi, sanggol, bawet and kadang-kadang.
Criteria for judging of the streetdancing competition include participation – 20 percent, creativity – 20 percent, mastery – 30 percent, fluidity – 15 percent and synchronicity – 15 percent.
For the ground demonstration rules, participants will be required to make a 20 minute presentation and no photographers will be allowed in the performance area. The use of placards and markers will be limited to date and identification of people and places.
By Dexter A. See
