Friday, September 08, 2006
Benguet ready to hold 2nd Adivay festival
WHILE the budget may not be huge for this year’s Benguet Adivay Festival, provincial officials are crossing their fingers that the affair would be as successful and pleasing as that of last year.
In a press conference held last Tuesday, concerned officials of the provincial government said that they are all ready to administer the festival, which was initially held last year under the supervision of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso said the province is looking forward for an improvement of the Adivay, which is now scheduled in November, to coincide with the Benguet foundation week celebration.
This year’s undertaking, Pacalso said, would focus on history, culture or the presentation of indigenous rituals to educate the youth on the rich traditions of the province, agriculture, trade and industry.
Packaged tours to selected farms in Benguet were also arranged for interested visitors as part of the province’s agro-industrial promotion.
Added in the highlights of this four-week celebration is a marathon relay where mayors from the 13 towns are expected to participate to test their endurance and improve participation.
The race is set to start from Loo, Buguias, and will proceed towards La Trinidad, where runners from each of the eight teams to be created shall complete in a 10.5-kilometer leg each before passing the baton to his or her teammates.
Upon reaching the final 50-meter leg of the race, runners representing each town shall pass the baton to their respective mayors, who shall then complete the marathon.
Teofilo Rimando of the Institute of Physical Education and Sports of Benguet State University (BSU) said the race was proposed to replace the mountain bike race for variety.
The Provincial Government allotted an initial amount of P500,000 for the activities slated for the Adivay Festival and P300,000 for the Benguet day celebration.
They said the joint celebration is now scheduled from November 8 to December 2, and not in February anymore, so as not to "compete" with the annual Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival. (JC)
(September 8, 2006 issue)
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