Lang-ay festival takes centerstage this April

BONTOC, Mt. Province -- Three activities for a cause will highlight the celebration of the 46th Mountain Province Foundation Day and 9th Lang-ay festival on April 1-8.

The “Motocross Mountain Province” is open to all riders with a registration fee of P200 per participant. Proceeds of the sports event will go to identified dialysis patients in the province. Interested riders may register with their respective municipal governments.

There are two routes for the activity, the Bontoc-Sagada-Besao via Nakawang-Tadian-Bauko-Sabangan-Bontoc route and the Paracelis-Natonin-Barlig-Bontoc route. Riders will wait for Sadanga riders in Bontoc before proceeding to Sagada in the morning of April 1.

Tourist spots along the way will highlight the race, namely, the majestic mountain views along the Sadanga-Bontoc Road, Kadchog rice terraces in Bontoc, Kiltepan rice terraces in Sagada, Mogao peak in Besao seen along Nakawang eco-trail, Clitoris Mountain in Tadian, view of Bauko’s vegetable patches atop Mt. Data Hotel and the panoramic view of the Centennial Forest in Sabangan.

The Paracelis route will feature views of corn fields seen along the Paracelis-Natonin Road, views of abaka hemp along the Natonin-Barlig road, and views of Barlig’s mossy forests along the Barlig-Bontoc road.

A concert for a cause on April 6 will feature noted musician and song composer Bryan Aliping. Aliping from Bauko will be joined by other local band talents and individual performers. The concert highlights environmental, indigenous culture and social justice songs.

Tickets are sold at P30 each while sponsor tickets at P100, P200 and P500 will be sold for identified dialysis patients from the province.

The activity is sponsored by the Supreme Student Council in coordination with the governors’ league and legislative officers of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) with the support of the provincial government of Mountain Province and other organizations.

A trek for a cause at Mt Kalawitan, Sabangan coordinated by the environment and natural resources office is scheduled on April 8-9.

Meantime, registration for the agro-industrial fair coordinated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Department of Trade and Industry is now ongoing and will end March 29. Opening of the trade fair is on April 1.

Registration for the medical-surgical mission on April 4-5 is also ongoing and will end on March 30 at the Bontoc General Hospital.