TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — The promotion of the province of Kalinga of its tourism industry has improved in leaps and bounds.
Kalinga’s Bodong Festival bagged the Best Cultural Festival award in the provincial category of the 2024 Pearl Awards during 25th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) national convention, on its first attempt to join said contest.
“This is the first time nga sumali ti Kalinga iti Pearl Awards ket nangabak tayo. This is significant for the promotion of our cultural heritage,” Kalinga Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Lorraine Alunday Ngao-i said in an interview.
Ngao-i said Kalinga was one of only three provinces to reach the finals, alongside Capiz and Ilocos Norte.
“Among the three finalists, ang Kalinga ang nanalo kasi we highlight not only yung Awong chi Gangsa, Agtu’n Chi Banga((A call of a thousand gongs, dance of a thousand pots) through which we set the Guinness World Record, but also yung iba’t ibang activities sa Bodong Festival that promotes the province’s rich cultural heritage like the “Digdiga Di Tupaya” for the promotion of our traditional dance and the Bodong Congress for our bodong practice,” Ngao-I said.
“Aside from the cultural aspect, we also promote Kalinga’s tourism and local products through activities like Lumin-awa trek for the promotion of our tourism destinations, while Treasures Fair and Agri Fair promote our local and agricultural products. We also give venue for our local singers. Dun nila siguro inappreciate kasi parang we are unique because we covered all the sectors,” Ngao-i added.
Kalinga also secured first runner-up in the Best Promotional Video for its entry entitled,”Kalinga: Home of Ancient Traditions”, which highlights the province’s stunning landscapes, people and rich history.
“Nakakatuwa kasi it is not really funded ng malaki yung promotional video natin,” Ngao-I said.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Pasil was hailed the grand winner for Best Practices on Community-based Tourism and Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism for the Pasil Slow Food Community especially in the preservation of the Unoy rice, which is considered at the brink of extinction.
Pasil also placed second-runner up for Best Local Event Hosting for the Season of Creation.
The Pearl Award recognizes the efforts of local government units in promoting culture and tourism, advancing the tourism industry of the country. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
