BAGUIO CITY – The municipalities of Sabangan and Sadanga joined the Panagbenga Festival 2023: Cultural Dance Category Competition with Sabangan placing third place out of 17 performers that competed from the different parts of Cordillera recently.
According to Sabangan Coordinator Theodore M. Velasco, the municipality was represented by the cultural group “LABBAN DI E-LAGAN” whose members came from the diverse community of Barangay Lagan. Forty-five assistors, drivers, parents, coordinators and working committee members accompanied the 85 performers in Baguio City.
Velasco added that the story of their performance is called “Dawak” which refers to the customary practice of courtship between a man and woman in the municipality of Sabangan. When a man shows his intent in marrying a woman, he has to first show that he has the ability to raise a family by working in the fields, raise livestock and provide basic needs such as food, shelter and the commodities for daily subsistence and if the woman being courted accepts the proposal, members of the community gather to observe the Dawak.
“This is not the first time that we have brought our cultural performers to the Panagbenga and we will continue to support events like this that caters to the experience and exposure of our youth while being a platform to showcase our rich heritage and tradition,” Velasco said.
Meanwhile, Sadanga Coordinator Joy F. Pokais informed that this was the first time that the municipality of Sadanga joined the festival. According to her, the 61 participants were represented by the Sadanga Students Association for Peace and Development (SSAPD) of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College Bontoc Campus.
“The Panagbenga Festival which allows participants outside of the city to join was the perfect event to showcase their culture,” Pokais said.
Furthermore, SSAPD member Jefferson Tangilag said that the competition was also an opportunity for them to be exposed to other cultures, improve their teamwork and test their capacity to compete at the regional level. He is hopeful that their performance that showcased the story of the “Chuno,” the traditions and rituals of marriage in Sadanga delivered its message well through their presentation. By BBKMacliing
