With the theme of “Strengthening Communal Capabilities for Cultural Protection and Appreciating Cultural Richness as an Instrument for more Resilient and Peaceful Communities,” around 500 members participated in the cultural celebration with the hosts for this year’s event from the Municipalities of Bauko and Eastern Mountain Province (Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis).
There was a competition in street dancing in which the Municipality of Tadian was the winner.
In the cultural performance competition, the Tadian group got the first prize. Tadian performed the “GIPI,” which is a practice and tradition done before harvesting the palay. It is a way of asking Kabunyan (the creator) for an abundant harvest and for crop protection from rodents.
Another competition was the BEST TAPUEY, for which the Municipality of Bauko got the first prize.
In the BEST INDIGENOUS FOOD, the Municipality of Sabangan took the first prize. Sabangan cooked the “Tingsay with Segtem”—this is mudfish cooked with old-aged tapuey (just like Sinigang-paksiw).
This year’s keynote speaker was Ms. Juliet P. Lucas, Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR).
In her speech, she said, “LANG-AY is a living Igorot culture of communing and feasting with wine and meat to foster solidarity, mutual support, and friendship among families and friends. The definition of lang-ay is seen here in Hong Kong because you made it a festival. And the Mountain Province Community Hong Kong manifested the true essence of Lang-ay as seen today’s event.“
The organizers of the event would like to thank the presence of visitors from the Philippines, the Besao Mayor and Councilors, and Pinoys from Macau. (report by Luz F. Afidchao)
