Lang-ay in Mountain Province

Yes, yes yo! The crowd drawing Lang-ay Festival of Mountain Province is now being celebrated in this capital town of the province from March 29 to April 7. Now In its 5th year, the culture-rich event is observed with performances from five ethno-linguistic tribes of the ten towns of the provinces. Dances and songs cap presentations fromthe the ethnic tribes- Applai from Sagada, and Besao; Kankanaey from Bauko, Tadian, and Sabangan; Baliwon from Paracelis; Balangao from Barlig and Natonin; and the Bontoc tribe from Bontoc and Sadanga.

As early as March 29, coronation of the winning contestants for the Anap di Bangan de Montanosa (Search for Ms Mountain Province) was observed. In tune with the culture of the place, the coronation is a resemblance of the cultural ceremonies in the western part of the province where Bangan in her red - striped “gateng” (local woven skirt) is the first to plant the rice seedlings to start rice planting before folks follow.

The celebration of the culture-studded event also includes the holding of an ecumenical mass officiated by newly installed Episcopal Bishop Brent Alawas at the Provincial Plaza grounds. While some few remaining elders of this province chose to remain unbaptized, some 95% of the people are either Roman Catholics or Episcopalians which shows the strong influence of the Roman Catholic influence in the late 1800s and the American Episcopal Missionaries in the early1900s. Some are Baptists and some are with charismatic fellowships including the Free Believers.

The event is not only about showing the people’s culture on dances and rituals though. It is also about promoting its basic source of livelihood from agriculture and locally made products such as woven materials and wines. The agro-industrial fair opened with the judging of Pinaka (best) among the agricultural products displayed in booths by delegates from the ten towns supervised by the agricultural unit of the provincial administration.

Rice, roots crops, highland vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, onions) and fruits (citrus and bananas) are among the major crops planted here. Coffee is now strongly promoted with its promising economic returns. Sagada Coffee Arabica is famous for its exotic aroma. Coffee drinking is available at the provincial grounds and especially promoted on April 1.

And so with locally made fruit and rice wines. Lang-ay wines are best known to come from Bauko. Though other wine entrepreneurs are now doing the home made product in almost all over the ten towns of the province.

Woven products shall also be specially promoted by the Governor’s spouse, Ms Cecilia Dalog. In Lang-ay weaves and Designs on April 4. This event showcases fashion trends on the province’s finely made woven products including the traditional tapis and G-string for men, bags and purses in varied sizes and designs.

The culture-rich province sees the spectacular performance of ethnic tribes during the street dancing event during the culminating day on April 7. As Governor Maximo Dalog said, the Lang-ay Festival shall be relevantly observed with the basic and usual presentation of culture and tradition. Although for this year’s event, the participation of children and youth is more pronounced. It is also expected that people from Mountain Province who went to other places and now categorized to belong to the 11th municipality will have visible presence during the event.

The Lang-ay Festival now is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to include visitors and residents. Be one among the 30,000 plus participants. Join and enjoy the Lang-ay Festival!

For recent pics, go to Lang-ay Mountain Province