LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Provincial officials are keeping their fingers crossed on the possible attendance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. or First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos during the celebration of the province’s 124th founding anniversary and Adivay Festival that will be conducted at the Benguet Sports Complex on November 23, 2024.
Gov. Melchor D. Diclas said that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Embracing our Heritage, Co-creating a HEALTHIER Benguet” where the more than 40 government sector-supported and private sector-led activities will run from November 5 to /December 3, 292.
Adivay traditionally showcases Benguet’s two major industries—agriculture and mining. However, unlike previous years, this year’s festival will separate the mining sector from Adivay’s celebrations. A Mining Summit, previously held as part of Adivay, will instead be hosted on a separate occasion that will be agreed upon by the concerned stakeholders.
The provincial government will be butchering more than 35 pigs and two cows during the province’s birthday on November 23 while some seven pigs will be butchered and served to the public during the kick off activity scheduled on November 5.
Further, some of the pigs will be butchered during the ‘kading’ event on November 22 while some of the animals that will be offered will be used during the ‘sepnak’ event on November 24. The pre- and post- event rituals are being conducted prior to the main celebration on November 23.
“So yung baboy, usually kasi may mga donations pa yan pero yung galing sa province, yung maabot ng 40 yan kasi i-distribute natin, 1 per municipality so 13 yan. Tapos yung sa province, mayroon yung kading, sepnak, so umaabot ng ganoon. So of course yung mga municipalities kasi kulang talaga yung isa kaya usually naglalabas din yung mga municipalities. Usually may naglalabas ng dalawa, tatlo ganoon. Tapos, of course, may donations din galing sa Congress, galing din sa akin. Para at least hindi kukulangin yung pagkain during the festivities.” Diclas shared.
The celebration might also be challenging this year when it comes to traffic because the road from Km3 to Km5 is under construction, according to Chief of Police PLTCol. Benson Macli-ing, chief of the La Trinidad Municipal Station. In preparation for the traffic “We have designed alternate routes and we have enough traffic enforcers to man the traffic situation in the municipality of La Trinidad and all the alternate routes and diversion roads are open in the municipality. So pagnakikita natin, it’s only on the part of KM3 which is still on the process of construction. However, maybe before the start of these big events, at least may meron siyang 60% na magagawa doon kasi ongoing naman. Meron tayong alternate routes. We have Longlong-Lamtang, we have Beckel, Shilan and Lamut Road,” Macli-ing said.
For the grand cañao on November 23, security measures are already in place. “We will deploy 180 personnel, along with volunteers from the 13 municipalities, the ANAO, CCCAT, Women’s Brigade, reservists, and assistance from the Bureau of Jail Management and Fire Protection,” Macli-ing shared. The Governor’s office is coordinating with the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and additional support groups to ensure safety during the event at Wangal Sports Complex.
The trade fair, scheduled for November 11-26, will feature a wide variety of commercial goods, including ready-to-eat foods, processed food, furniture, and dry goods. A total of 150 stalls have been accommodated, matching the number from last year’s celebration.
According to Governor Melchor Diclas on the Adivay celebration, “So of course everybody’s invited dito sa Adivay natin. Of course yung mga kababayan natin na pumunta sa ibang lugar of course we are inviting them to come and join us, mga tourists, mga bisita natin, you’re invited. At least mag-start na yung strawberry, may makikita na sila.” Diclas said.
The celebration will kick off with an ecumenical service followed by a program and the pre-pageant of the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet aside from the formal wear competition and casual interview that will be conducted to them.
Various sports events such as the 4×4 and Enduro Challenge will be held at Bangao, Bokod, the sepak takraw at the Benguet National High School and the tennis competition at the Benguet Sports Complex tennis court will all be held on November 9-10 while the Dance Sport will be held at the Benguet Sports Complex gymnasium on November 10.
Jobseekers will have a chance to look for possible employment during the two-day jobs fair that will be held at the trade fair grounds in Wangal on November 11-12 while the traditional trade fair will run from November 11-26.
Moreover, the traditional agri-tourism fair will formally open November 13 and will run until November 26.
The Swim Wear competition of the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet will be held at the Palm Grove Resort in Asin, Tadiangan, Tuba while the vegetable cookfest will be conducted at the cold chain area on November 14.
On November 15, the Talent portion of the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet will be held at the Benguet Sports Complex while golf enthusiasts will have the chance to join the Adivay Golf Cup that will be held at the Pinewoods Golf Club on November 15-16 and the KADIWA ng Pangulo will be held at the cold chain on November 15-17.
Local singers will have the chance to take part of this year’s celebration by joining the audition for the Acoustic Competition that will be held on November 6-8 in preparation for the competition proper on November 13 at the BSC gymnasium. Senior citizens from the different parts of the province will have their own day on November 8 which will be followed by the Benguet cultural dance performances on November 9 aside from the Quiz Bee.
The traditional mass wedding will also be conducted at the San Jose Church on November 15 that will be followed by the arnis and karatedo competition, as well as the track and field championships and the closing of the Adivay Golf Cup on November 16. By Dexter See and Angeline Kafuyao
