BONTOC, Mtn. Province – The Lang-ay Council in a meeting held last April 11, 2016 decided to cancel the staging of the Lang-ay Festival 2016 due to public demands to observe “afig” and out of respect for the death of the late Gov. Leonard Mayaen.
“It is the culture of the Igorots that if a member of the family, in this case, the father of the province, the members of the family will observe days of mourning for the loss of a father”.
This is the common sentiment voiced out during the meeting as the reason for the cancellation of this year’s festivities.
Mayors present echoed the elders’ sentiments whom they consulted in their areas of jurisdictions said that Lang-ay activities are joyful ones involving the playing of gongs, dancing, and merriment which are taboo in times of mourning.
Either postponing the activities after the elections which could be also after the 40 days of mourning or after the elections has not been given credence by the participants on the situation that the would be prevailing election fever would not be good for the celebrations.
Another justification for the cancellation is that the prospective participants are either not interested anymore or have withdrawn participation as they are going somewhere else like the students who will be taking summer classes.
Taking a legal stance, Mayor Odsey posed a question as he said that the Provincial Ordinance mandating the staging of the Lang-ay Festival sets it as part of the celebration of the Foundation Day of the province which is April 7. Resetting it to after election might needs legislative action.
As to the suggestions to continue with the activities without the playing of “gangsa”/gongs, the proponents opted to go with the decision to cancel the provincial festival this year and have it in 2017.
Meanwhile, the cancellation might be a prelude to better celebrations to prepare for next year as the province will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“Golden anniversaries usually entail more elaborate celebrations” commented a participant insinuating that the celebrations of the Foundation Anniversary and the Lang-ay Festival 2017 should be events to await for.
By Roger Sacyaten
