Mt. Province's "Lang-ay Festival 2019": Everything You Need to Know

Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

The people of Mountain province and the rest of Cordillera are anticipating this year's annual festival that highlights the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the different municipalities of the province. This is a yearly festival wherein each of the participating municipalities will have the chance to showcase their indigenous music, dance, costume and their traditional tools and symbols.

The event will also signify the unity among the many diverse tribes of Mountain province to come together for one purpose, to "Lang-ay".

1. What is Lang-ay? 

The word "Lang-ay" is a native term of the iBontoc which means coming together for sharing which could be anything, from food, happiness, friendship, wisdom, talents and resources. When someone invites you for a "Lang-ay", there is no excuse not to go for everyone has something to share.

2. When is Lang-ay festival 2019?

This year's Lang-ay Festival is the 15th and it will be celebrated from April 1st April 8th.

3. How do people of Mountain Province celebrate Lang-ay Festival?

The festival is participated by the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province which will gather together in Bontoc for numerous activities such as street-dancing parade and competitions, cultural presentations, musical events, sports, exhibits and many others. Please see attached photo for the lists of events.

Lang-ay Festival 2019 Calendar of Activities. Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

4. Is the festival for just for locals or can anyone get involved. 

The festival is open for anyone and everyone, whether you are local or international tourists, you are very much welcome to watch and learn the culture of Mountain Province.

5. What is the best highlight of the festival that I should not miss?

Every event on the festival would definitely be a must watch for everybody. The street dancing and cultural presentations will get you the chance to see the native costume of the each of the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province. Also, don't miss the chance to watch the indigenous games such as "Khug uyod", Inet-etaan" and "Sangkhor". Please refer to the Lang-ay Calendar of Events.


6. Where to stay in Bontoc to watch the 14th Lang-ay Festival 2019?

Looking for an accommodation in Bontoc would never be a problem for visitors since the town offers great choices of accommodation. Navigating the town to look for hotel is relatively simple due to its size and you can do that on foot.

So, if you're planning to go on a trip for the Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, then don't cancel it. Ready your backpack, cameras, phones and let's head to Mountain Province. You're almost guaranteed you'll have a lot of fun and you'll end up satisfied after your visit.

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Areas near Baguio Convention Center believed to contain Yamashita Treasure

If you think Yamashita treasure hunting is gone and no one is interested about it, well, not yet. When talking about gold in Benguet not to mention of course about mining, Yamashita treasure is gold and they do still exist and they were just around the corner.

Thanks to Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his forces who looted valuable treasures in Southeast Asia and allegedly buried them in many parts of the Philippines.

This time a group of treasure hunters in Baguio City has said that there are certain areas near the Baguio Convention Center (BCC)that contain Yamashita treasures, this prompt the group to acquire permit from the city government to conduct treasure hunting in the area.

According to the group representative Eliseo Cabusao, a 90-year-old US immigrants with a Japanese descent had told him that he had helped bury a truckloads of gold near the BCC during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

To have an extra money for the government, the city council had allowed the treasure hunter to conduct drilling exploration on six different spots of the BCC for two days. If it is positive, excavation and retrieval will be followed but with the close monitoring of city government personnel.

If the treasure is found, whatever it is, maybe a bullion of gold of silver, the national government will take its 35% share, local government will take 35% and the rest will be for the treasure hunters, reports Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Photo: Baguio Convention Center via Google Street View

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Let's support our Cordilleran candidates who will join BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017

Cordillera - The Bureau of Fire Protection-Cordillera in its Facebook Page is asking the people of Cordillera to join the Online Voting in support for the three candidates who will represent the region for the MISS NATIONAL FIRE OLYMPICS 2017.

The online voting has started on March 11 and will end on March 17 (Friday) at 12 noon.

In order to participate, just got to BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017 Facebook Page and look for the name of Miss Olivia Lambayong who represent BFP Cordillera, Miss Jenalyn Rodas who will represent Industrial Cordillera and Miss Zeny Rose Gorospe for Barangay Cordillera.

Just Like and Share the Photo of each candidate. One like is equivalent to 1 point while one share is equivalent to 3 points.

Links of each candidates are embedded below from Facebook. Just click on the photo then hit Like and Share.

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WATCH: Joshua Pacio from Benguet comes out victorious in One Warrior Kingdom

It's a grueling, an intense and a non-stop action between Filipino mixed martial artist Joshua Pacio against former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM in Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Joshua Pacio from La-Trinidad, Benguet who trained under Lakay La Trinidad Gym scored a massive split decision win against the Thai Champion on March 11.

Pacio has shown his tremendous skills in two rounds via takedowns and well-executed ground and pound leading the Thai champion looked uncapable of taking a good win.

Pacio's impressive victory has made him improve his record to 9-1 and a possible title rematch againts current ONE Strawweight Champion Yoshitaka "Nobita" Naito who defeated him in their previous bouts.

Joshua Pacio was the only lone Filipino fighter who took home victory after three of his countrymen bowed down to their respective opponents.

Watch the highlight of the fight below.

Video/Photo Credit: One Championship

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Top 3 of PMA Class of 2017 is a proud Cordilleran from Buguias, Benguet

PMA FB page

Cordillera - Cadet First Class Eda Gliss Buansi Marapao of Baguio City is the top 3 of PMA Class "Salaknib" 2017, the only Cordilleran who made it to the top 10 in the graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy.

Marapaom is also among the 8 women in the top 10 graduates of the PMA Salaknib (Sanggalang at Lakas at Bukay Para sa Kalayaan ng Inang Bayan.) led by female valedictorian, Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez of Cabanatuan City.

Marapaom is a proud Cordilleran who came from Buguias, Benguet and residing in La Trinidad. She had studied Civil Engineering course before entering the Academy as she was encouraged by her father who was a retired Army.

She thanked all those who had extended support and help in her studies especially her parents retired Army  Edgar Marapao and Helen Marapao.

The Top 10 graduates of PMA Class 2017 are as follows.

1. Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez, Cabanatuan City
2. Philippine Modesto Viscaya, Ligao City, Albay
3. Eda Glis Marapao, Baguio City
4. Cathleen Jovie Santiano Baybayan, San Fernando, Pampanga
5. Carlo Emmanuel Manalasan, Canlas, Pampanga
6. Shiela Joy Ramiro Jallorina, Balabag, Nueva Viscaya
7.Sheil Marie Calonge De Guzman, Manaoag, Pangasinan
8. Joyzy Mencias Funchia, Butuan City
9. Resie Jezreel Arrocena Hucalla, Compostella, Valley
10. Catherine Mae Emeterio Gonzales, Zamboanga City

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Rotary Club Baguio to conduct Free Medical Mission on March 4

Rotary Club Baguio FB page

The Rotary Club of Baguio will be conducting a free medical mission on March 4 starting at 9 AM to 4  PM at the Baguio City Hall Grounds. 

According to the information posted on RCB's Facebook page, there will be services and items to be given such as free medical consultation, OB GYNE consultation, dental services, minor surgery, eye check up and acupuncture. 

They will be also giving fee medicines and vitamins; free used clothing and eyeglasses frames. 

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LOOK: First SAF Monument in Lepanto, Mankayan Benguet inaugurated.

The Special Action Force (SAF) monument has been successfully inaugurated today at Lepanto National High School ground in Mankayan Benguet.

The SAF monument was built in honor of the 44 SAF commandos who were killed during an encounter with members of the MILF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015 according to PSupt. Mario Mayam-es Jr., of the 2nd Battallion SAF commander.

Three of the SAF troopers were a graduate of Lepanto High School. They were SPO1 Noel Golocan, PO1 Angel Kodiamat and PO2 Noble Kiangan.

The inauguration was attended by widows and family members of the SAF troopers, local government officials, police officers and Lepanto High School alumni.

Also present in the inauguration are two of the SAF survivors PO2 Adolfo Andrada and PO3 Christopher Lalan.


Source: Bombo Radyo, Philippine Information Agency Photo: Kim Amoy

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Japan-Inspired Sakura Park in Atok Benguet slowly attracting tourists

There is a new exciting destination for tourists to visit in the Cordilleran region - the Japan-inspired Sakura Park located in Paoay, Atok Benguet.

The park is the first ever Sakura or cherry blossom park to be established in the Philippines. There are about 30 kinds of cherry blossom trees that are expected to be seen out from the hundred trees that were planted back in 2015.

Although the trees are not yet fully grown up and blossoming, there are now several tourists who are starting to go picnicking in the said Sakura park in Paoay according to Atok Municipal Agricultural technologist Felix Pedro.

The Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) is committed to support the park to become a tourist destination for both local and International tourists.

Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan has proposed the development of the road going to the park for easy accessibility for visitors.

Source: CNN Philippines, BomboRadyo Baguio

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WATCH: Baguio traffic enforcer praises for helping a disabled man in a busy intersection

A traffic enforcer in Baguio city was caught on video helping a disabled man to cross a busy intersection along Magsaysay Avenue.

In a video that was posted on GMA's Facebook Page, it shows a traffic enforcer in a busy intersection talking to a disabled man sitting under an overpass.

Not later than  40 seconds of the video, the traffic enforcer picked up the man's backpack and carried him across the road.

James Villaverdee, the owner of the video shared the clip hoping that it can  give inspiration to others.

Many netizens have commended the kindness that was shown by the traffic enforcer who has exerted his effort to help the disabled man despite his busy work of directing traffic.

One netizen however, has criticized the local government of Baguio for failing to address the needs of disabled pedestrians who want to cross the road. The netizen suggested putting up escalator or lift in overpasses or redesign them to be usable by Persons With Disabilites or PWD.

Watch the video below

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WATCH: Korean guy dances traditional Cordilleran dance 'pattong'

The deafening yet harmonious sound of the beating of gansas and the Cordilleran folks enjoying 'patong' dance is too much for this Korean guy not to get his own gansa and join the party.

A half-minute video posted on Jeyrick Sigmaton Global Fanpage shows a very happy Korean man playing the gong while performing the Igorot dance.

According to the post, the Korean guy was the owner of the facility where Jeyrick Sigmaton or popularly known as the Carrot Man was held at. His name is Jeon Seong Chan.

"Seong Chan was very impressed with what was happening in his place, but it's the cultural dance that has caught his interest the most. So he volunteered to join the pattong" the post said.

Although Seong Chan was not able to perform the dance well, he still proceeded to go beat his gong and enjoy the party with the Igorots in Korea.

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