BAGUIO CITY – Creative artists from the province of Kalinga dominated the top awards in the different contested activities during the 2024 Regional Creative Festival, dubbed FIESTA HARAYA ID CORDILLERA, held at the Newtown Plaza Hotel Baguio City on October 29-30.
According to Kevin Raqraquin from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Kalinga, the DTI Cordillera successfully led the event that aims to drive, celebrate, and showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage and creative talents in the Cordillera region.
There are twenty-four (24) delegates, composed of creative industry players, micro, small and medium enterprises, provincial and local government unit partners, and DTI Kalinga personnel, who represented the province in the various contested activities, namely the Cordillera Songwriting Competition, CordiSenyo Design Challenge, Digital Poster Making Contest, and Digital Photography Contest.
The following dominated the top recognitions during the awarding of the different contested activities, underscoring their strength in various creative fields.
Hilair Gamongan Wacdagan, the original composer and singer of the globally renowned ‘Sissiwit’ and ‘Binungor’, which have garnered significant attention on social media, reaching audiences far beyond local borders and internationally since 2014, representing the province, garnered first place during the Kalinga Regional Cordillera Songwriting Competition.
Apple Manzano Bayongasan, representing the City of Tabuk, placed 4th in the same category.
In the Cordisenyo Design Challenge, Verline Pangsiw of Massalinga Handicrafts garnered 1st place in the formal wear category, while Ruby Ann Bunaguen of Cultura de Kalinga Fashion bagged second place.
For the Fashion Accessories Category, again Verline Pangsiw also garnered third place, while Reizel Mephi Q. Dela Cruz of Macutay National High School, Rizal Kalinga, won first place for the Digital Poster Making Contest.
Adding to the festival’s highlights is the Creative Achievers Award, aimed at recognizing the exemplary contribution of the Cordillera creatives through their creative talents that made a significant impact on the agenda of the Philippine creative industries.
One of the Cordillera Creative Achievers Awardees was Hilair G. Wacdagan, who was honored and highlighted during the event.
Fiesta Haraya id Cordillera’s success avouches the high potential of the region’s creative industries, anchoring the diverse and vibrant cultures, arts and crafts, music and literary works, and other creative sectors. By Ian Addatu
