CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) — The province of Kalinga is set to showcase its Bodong Festival in the Aliwan Fiesta on June 27-29.
This is the second time that the Bodong Festival has been invited to the renowned event which gathers the most exceptional talents in the Philippines for a spectacular cultural tourism experience.
“We are very happy na recognized festival na ang Bodong Festival,” said supervising tourism operations officer Lorraine Ngao-i, noting that Aliwan Fiesta chooses participants from the best of the best in the country.
“Sa dami-dami ng festival sa buong Pilipinas ay 14 lang ang na-invite, at eto na nga, isa ang Bodong Festival,” Ngao-i said. [ Out of the many festivals in the Philippines, only 14 were invited, and the Bodong Festival is one of them.]
Tribu Rizal of Rizal town, the 2024 champion of Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival street dancing competition, will represent Kalinga in Aliwan’s dance competition, the showdown of champions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The dance group promises a performance that authentically portrays Kalinga’s culture with the ‘Awong chi Gangsa, Agtu’n chi Banga’ (The Call of a Thousand Gongs, Dance of a Thousand Pots) as a highlight.
“Siguro ang talagang advantage natin dito ay yung pagka-authentic ng grupo, kasi talagang we are going to portray the Kalinga dances, music, the authenticity of the culture,” said Ryan Greg Solsoloy, the delegation’s head.
Aside from the dance competition, Kalinga is also participating in the “Tugtog ng Aliwan”, a musical competition and the Aliwan Fiesta Regional Exhibit which features the native products and culinary delights of the participating places.
Tribu Rizal welcomes monetary assistance from donors for additional help with the expenses of bringing its 350-strong contingent to the capital.
Solsoloy is thankful to Cong. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Gov. James Edduba, Vice Gov. Jocel Baac, and Rizal Mayor Karl Baac who are among those who have pledged their support so far.
All yKalingas are also enjoined to show their moral support by watching the performance live, especially those who live in Manila, as audience impact is one of the competition’s criteria.
“[We invite] all the people here sa Kalinga to support us, ‘yung mga nandoon na taga-Kalinga sa Maynila, they can watch our performance. Pinasasalamatan din natin ‘yung support ng ating provincial government, ang aming Rizal [local government unit], and our Congressman,” Solsoloy said.
The grand parade is scheduled on the third day of the festival. It will start at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila and will traverse Roxas Boulevard before stopping in front of the Aliw Theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.
The events will also be live streamed on the Aliwan Fiesta’s official Facebook page. (IS, PIA Kalinga)
