TADIAN, Mountain Province(PIA)-- Sounds of the gongs resonated and merrymaking permeated  through the Poblacion for three days as people from the 19 barangays of the Tadian gathered to celebrate the 16th Ayyoweng di Lambak Festival.

Bearing the theme “Ulnos ya Kultura: Bikas di Tumundukan, Mangiwaned si Sumyaan” (Unity and Culture: Our triumph to moving forward), the celebration featured various activities including agri-industrial fair,  civic parade, ground demonstrations, street dancing and cultural performances, bahagketball, 'Anap di Bangan di Tadian', and indigenous games, aimed at conserving  and promoting the heritage of the municipality.

Elders also officiated  some  indigenous rituals  such as  the  tukab di koob (opening prayers) for unity, prosperity and good health.

Garbed in their colorful traditional attire, participants from the different barangays showcased their unique identity through the street dances and cultural presentations.

Each  cultural presentation has a story to tell; it depicts a practice or a tradition a barangay.    

An integral part of the town's festival was the ”bahagketball” featuring  local officials playing basketball barefoot and wearing g-string(baag) and indigenous head band.  Women in their  “gabey”(tapis or native skirt) and “lamma”(blouse) played volleyball.

There were also indigenous games such as “tinnubakan”(splitting wood with axe), and  “Longban di Bayo”(pounding rice contest).

Police Brigadier General Brent M. Madjaco, the regional director  of Police Regional Office 7, Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Regional Executive Director Jennilyn M. Dawayan, and  Mountain Province Schools Division Superintendent Benilda M. Daytaca, all homegrown  executives, served as the guests of honor  in this year’s festival.

 “This auspicious event holds great significance to us all, as it is a time to pay homage to our rich cultural heritage, and time to revel in the spirit of harmony, faith and festivity,” Madjaco said.

Dawayan, meanwhile, assured the community that the agriculture department is  continuously supporting the farmers to increase their productivity.

“The Department of Agriculture is addressing farming systems, and sustainability within the value chain to ensure food is always available and affordable,” she said. She urged the community to support local farmers and their products.

Daytaca  emphasized the importance of developing positive values  of discipline, industry, humility  and good attitude  as instilled  by the elders  are essential in pursuing a career, and in every day life.

The celebration ended  with the “Giwaday” or cleansing ritual before going home, and  “Kenta”, a ceremony with prayers for the continued  success of the Ayyoweng festival set every March 1-3.(JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)