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Mt. Province celebrates first Lang-ay

BONTOC, Mt. Province (Apr. 8) — The first province-wide festival here, the Lang-ay 2005 culminated successfully last Apr. 7 despite many “first-time experiences”.

It may not rival the recent festivals held in the region – the Adivay and Panagbenga of La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City yet it succeeded in enhancing cooperation among the leaders as well as residents of the province, who vary in some cultural aspects.

Strong men and women from the 10 municipalities enjoyed for the first time competing in some indigenous and contemporary sports. Among this were chepap si Futog (catching the pig), the chama (wrestling), the ­(walking through wooden pole), grain weight lifting through the use of khimata (a carrying pole with woven basket at both end).

The popular tug-of-war was also among the games competed by both men and women.

A marathon, the “Lungba (race) di Gawis ay Mt. Province” and dubbed as a “road race from the east to west,” was another highlight of the five-day event. Only five of the ten municipalities of this province participated in this event. Every team was composed of seven runners, five male and two female. It started in Poblacion, Paracelis in Apr. 3 passing through the ten town centers ending at Bontoc on Apr. 7.

Critiques were abundant in the celebration of the first Lang-ay, such as the road race which was originally conceptualized as “marathon” turned out to be a continuous sprint. It was criticized for lack of definite set of rules to follow.

The beauty pageant was another event organized for the Lang-ay, yet was highly criticized for not being a part of Igorots culture. Many residents as well as visitors were wondering how relevant a beauty pageant is in indigenous festivities.

Visitors were overwhelmed at the diverse in culture and costumes of the people of the said place. The street dancing and cultural presentations revealed many distinction and commonalities in the costumes and traditions of the province.

Under Secretary Nasser Pangandaman of the Department of Land Reform (DLR) was the guest speaker representing DLR Secretary Rene Villa in the main culminating program while Congressman Victor S. Dominguez gave a solidarity message.

Other guests include Regional Directors and staffs of the various national line agencies.

In support to the festivities the Regional Development Council (RDC) which is incidentally chaired by Gov. Maximo Dalog, met in Bontoc marking another first time in the history of the province.

Lang-ay, as defined by the Association of Provincial Executives of Mountain Province, means “a living cultural tradition of the people of Mountain Province of sharing happiness, nurturing and fostering brotherhood through partaking of traditional and indigenous food and home brewed wine.” # Joseph Pangket for NORDIS

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