Lepanto National High School performers topped the traditional ethnic ensemble during the Fun Fiesta sa Pilipinas 2020, 8th National Performing Arts Festival (FFP20, 8NPAF) Virtual Competition held via ZOOM hosted by University of Perpetual Help, Las Pinas City on November 28.
The School Performing Arts of LNHS advanced to the National Level after winning the Preliminary Round of the competition held in the previous months.
Twelve members of the LNHS team portrayed a historical event in 1960’s where the farms of Mankayan were attacked by army worms destroying almost all crops thus the harvest was not good so the people consulted with the elders and their advice was for the ritual Begnas to be performed.
In the olden days, BEGNAS is a community ritual of the Municipality of Mankayan whenever there are problems such as scarce harvest, pest or famine which starts with a simulation of a head-hunting raid early in the morning.
The simulated severed head which the community warriors get from the mountains symbolizes the victory of the people over their adversities then festivities follow to celebrate and to ask the Kabunyan, the God of all Gods his blessings.
Other cultural performing group from Benguet also ripped the other top awards in the national contest when Cabiten National High School and Loo National High School tied for third place in the same category.
Meanwhile, Miss Annilyn W. Lacpap, Teacher II of LNHS displayed her poise and grace as National Finalist in Contemporary Interpretative Dance Teacher’s Edition with her pair, Jovic Raguro, a senior high school student.
The competition is an annual event organized by the Philippine Arts and Culture Educators Society, the Bulwagang Filipino Theatre Guild in coordination with the Department of Education and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.
By Jackson Lacpap