TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) – The different local government units of Kalinga will showcase their best cultural performances in the “Diddiga’n Da iKalinga” event on February 12, 2025, as one of the highlights of the 30th Kalinga Founding Anniversary and 6th Bodong Festival.
Said event was initially called “Diddiga Di Kalinga” but the title has been changed to “Diddiga’n Da iKalinga” on the recommendation of the Kalinga Council for Culture and the Arts to follow correct grammar and proper conjugation in the Tanudan and Dallac dialects from which the word ‘diddiga’ originated.
“Ang meaning ng ‘diga’ is best. Ano ang best mo? ano ang i-showcase mo na best mo,” said Lorraine Ngao-i, chairperson of the “Diddiga’n Da iKalinga” committee.
The show is expected to be the best cultural event in the Bodong Festival and will feature authentic traditional Kalinga dances, ballads, chants, instruments, and attire.
It will be participated by all the seven municipalities and the City of Tabuk with each local government unit (LGU) tasked to stage a cultural performance representing a part in the storyline of the Bodong.
The Bodong is Kalinga’s indigenous peacekeeping system, which has been practiced for centuries and involves a process replete with rites and rituals.
While the “Diddiga’n Da iKalinga” event is not a competition, three special awards with cash prizes will be given to the LGUs who will give the most outstanding performances.
The event will be held at the Kalinga Sports Center at 1:00 p.m of Feb. 12. There will be a parade in the morning wherein the different LGUs will showcase their respective traditional mode of transport instead of the conventional parade banner.
Aside from the performances of the LGUs, there will also be separate performances by other ethnolinguistic groups in the province including the Ga’dang (Cudal & Calaccad), Bago (Ilocos), and Muslim (Maranao).
The “Diddiga’n Da Ikalinga” replaces the “Diddiga Di Tuppaya” in the previous edition of the Bodong Festival. The latter focused exclusively on the “tupayya”, Kalinga’s traditional wedding dance. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
