NATONIN, Mountain Province – The commemoration of the 108th Foundation Day of the municipality has opened preparations for the Sas-aliwa Festival!
Last March 10, 2025, a simple yet significant commemoration program was held at the Open Gym here with Board Member Federico Onsat as the guest of honor and speaker.
Tracing the history of Natonin, Onsat called for the people to pay homage to the sacrifices and dedication of the past leaders and personalities who “led us to what Natonin is today.”
“Let us follow the generosity and wisdom of our past leaders and people that ushered peace and progress to our municipality” he said.
He urged the audience to bestow to the children the good deeds and characters of the past leaders and people in the celebration of the Foundation Day of the town.
Onsat shared that in June of 1962, the municipality of Paracelis separated from Natonin, referring to the municipality as a mother that weaned a child for that offspring to carve her or his own destiny.
Mayor Jose Agagon emphasized that the progress of Natonin would not be attained without the cooperation and unity of all iNatonin. He asked everyone to support the programs and projects of the municipal government to further the progress and prosperity for all.
Meanwhile, the occasion was also the opportunity for those interested to participate in the cultural project IPALAKSUN: Transfer of Knowledge in the Playing of Indigenous Musical Instruments by Cultural Masters to Students of Natonin.
In the presence of Kimiko Malazarte, representative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) based in Manila, the young people performed the Chongachong and Balembeng with a couple dancing the courtship dance.
Intermissions were performances of the Patanggok and Patatag with the accompaniment of Onnat and Kulembang as background music.
The performance of a Bamboo Ensemble was done with the simultaneous playing of all the musical instruments rendering a harmony of sounds and beats along with dances which is characteristic of this eastern side of the province.
All the performers wearing native garbs played with gusto amidst the applause from the audience.
The NCCA provided financial assistance for the practices of the performers.
“We thank the provincial government and the municipal government for requesting this kind of project. We help in preserving your culture for posterity’s sake,” Malazarte said. By Roger U. Sacyaten
