Fiesta is our highest form of community expression. In its production, it exemplifies the talents and culture of the Filipino. The fiesta is Philippine culture and history in microcosm. – Alejandro Roces
In Cordillera, fiestas are brought to a different level. Important events involving the community become ritualistic. There is no RSVP in weddings. One invitation stated “Umali kayo am-in!” Loosely translated, it means “You are all invited!”
I was on an 11-day “Northern Loop” journey from Laoag to Isabela when I got an invitation to join a media team to cover the third staging of the Festival of Festivals in Baguio. We were supposed to go to Hungduan and Banaue but changed our itinerary so we could attend the Baguio festival.
I have been a frequent visitor of Baguio but have never experienced a festival. Even Panagbenga has eluded me. The Festival of Festivals was organized after the pandemic to spur interest in the culture and tradition of each of the Cordilleran areas.
The Festival started at 8 a.m. and paraded along Session Road and ended at Malcolm Square (People’s Park) where the performances were held. The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio paraded its Grand Float of Flowers with the theme “Baguio Ever After.” Many flowers were symbolic such as chrysanthemums for joy, optimism, and fidelity.
Abra
First to perform was Abra depicting Abrenin Kawayan Festival wherein they celebrate their rich culture and deep connection to bamboo. The festival also emphasizes the diversity of Abra’s communities including Ilocano and Itneg tradition.
Apayao
Apayao was next, performing Sayam naya Apayao. Sayam is the Isneg word for festival. This is a celebration every Feb. 14 which commemorates their founding anniversary and separation from Kalinga in 1995. It is a dance of gratitude for farmers to give thanks to the spirits and deities for a bountiful harvest and seeking blessings for the next bountiful harvest.
Benguet
Benguet is probably the most familiar for the regular tourist. The Adivay Festival is celebrated during November and is dedicated to discovering the rich history, culture, arts, and trade of Benguet. In the dance, you wiĺl observe a festive mood of storytelling, exchange of pleasantries and offerings.
Ifugao
Ifugao, famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces, celebrates Kulpi ad Ifugao, a ritual that is done after rice planting to implore the gods and spirits to protect the rice crops against disease and pestilence and to ensure good harvest. It is performed from one house to another or from one granary to another. It ends at the last granary where the mumbaki or native priest, together with the viĺlagers who participated, cook chicken to eat and drink rice wine before they return to their respective homes to wait for a bountiful harvest.
Kalinga
Kalinga, home of warriors, celebrate Bodong Festival, an annual celebration of peace and harmony among Kalinga viĺlages held every February. The objective is to promote understanding among various ethnic groups. Kalinga is listed in the Guiness World Record as having the largest gong ensemble and the longest banga dance. Kalinga is renowned for Kalinga leader Macli-ing Dulag and tattoo artist Whang-od.
Mountain Province
The name Mountain Province used to include some of the Cordilleran provinces. After the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), it retained its name. They celebrste Lang-ay Festival, which is an annual celebration held every April in Bontoc as part of its founding anniversary. Lang-ay is a festival of merry-making and fellowship. Their dance used a lot of woven cloth.
Tabuk
Tabuk, the capital of Kalinga, is also a component city of CAR. Kopyan Chi Matagian depicts their way of life. It features Palanus, the intermarriage among the tribes that bind the city. Also portrayed are To-od Chi Boyoy, a unique traditional non-cost labor in the community and Gabbok, a traditional dedication ritual for first born children.
Baguio City
Baguio is geographically part of Benguet. It used to be the capital from 1901 to 1916. As a chartered city, it is administered independently from the province. Its most famous festival every February is Panagbenga which is Kankana-ey for blooming.
Cordillera is the only landlocked region in the country. It is also the least populated. Because of the mountainous topology, it is the most diversified ethno-linguistic region with many “sub-dialect” variations. Despite the diversity, the Cordillerans share similar cultural identity.
Jing Ordoña (Manilakad) leads Manilakad Walks in Intramuros, food crawls in Binondo, Quiapo, & Angeles City and more. Let him guide you to several walking destinations in Manila and beyond. Manilakad (Jing Ordoña) can be reached on Facebook Messenger or through text at (+63) 916-3597888 and Viber (George Ordona) at (+63) 960-6975930.