LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – The people of Benguet once again showcased their solidarity and unity during the 124th Foundation Anniversary, and Adivay Festival 2024.
Thousands of Ibenguets from the 13 municipalities and even Baguio City and the other guests and visitors flocked to Benguet Sports Complex in Wangal, La Trinidad on November 23, for the annual gathering of the Grand Canao highlighting the foundation anniversary and Adivay Festival.
The celebration kicked off with the parade from the provincial capitol grounds in Poblacion to the Wangal grounds led by the provincial officials. Congressman Eric Go Yap, Governor Melchor Diclas, Vice Governor Ericson Felipe and Benguet Provincial Police Office Director PCol. Joseph Bayongasan led the “tayao” dance prior to the traditional “depap” or the catching of the pig by men from the 13 municipalities and then the “owik” or the offering of the pigs by the municipal mayors and other officials.
All the top officials of the province stressed the significance of working in unity for the people and province of Benguet. Diclas stressed that the theme, “Embracing our heritage: co-creating a HEALTHIER Benguet,” reflects the importance of preserving the Benguet traditions while building a resilient and progressive province.
“With our theme, we stress on the importance of impressing the cultural values and practices that our forebears cherished and hoped for including the “binnadang” and “inayan.” This values of cooperation, mutual help and moral responsibility are deeply engraved in our identity and continue to guide us and promoting peace, resilience and development in our province,” Diclas said.
“To all our beloved Ibenguet, our guests and visitors, we thank you. Your presence represents the spirit of Adivay which is a celebration of unity, tradition and progress,” he added.
In his message, Yap rallied iBenguets to celebrate Adivay every day and stand as one for the continued progress and development of Benguet.
He said that Adivay is the celebration of coming together, and the people and the leaders should work in unity for the continued progress and development of Benguet.
“Kailangan magtulungan tayo. Everyday should be Adivay. Everyday dapat tayo ay nagkakaisa. Either One Benguet, United Benguet, iisa lang ang ibig sabihin noon, magsamasama tayong lahat dahil gusto nating maging progressive ang ating probinsya. And in order for that to happen, dapat po we should stick together,” Yap said.
Felipe thanked the people behind the successful staging of Foundation Day and the Adivay and the other activities set in the month-long celebration.
He also called on the people of Benguet to enjoy the spirit of joy as they celebrate Adivay which reminds that in unity there is strength and that IBenguets are peaceful and loving citizens.
Also highlighting the program was launching of Encyclopedia of Benguet Indigenous Knowledge Systems by the Benguet State University with the provincial officials.
Project Team Leader Stanley Anongos Jr. said the encyclopedia is a compendium of literatures and studies from various libraries.
Close to 600 pieces of literatures were accessed for the encyclopedia and was accompanied by photos that visualize the lifeways of Benguet Igorot Societies during the colonial times. (JDP/RMC-PIA-CAR)
