THE Municipality of Tuba in Benguet is set to highlight taro, or locally known as “ava” in the 6th Ava Festival next week.

Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan said the festival will run from September 16 to 20 with the celebration to kick off with a color fun-run, ava dance contest and opening of mini agro-fair that will highlight ava products and agricultural products of the town.

“This is to promote our one-town-one-product which is ava,” she added.

Slated on September 17 is a training on ava production and processing and investment forum while on September 18 is a skills competition including Do-’do’ ni Piseng, Kiskis ni Piseng or ava slicing, Doto ni Ava or ava cooking and parlor games. On the same day is a lecture on swine production and “sekkel ni butbutog” or pig catching and search for the biggest ava, she said.

On Thursday, September 19 is the battle band of the bands, ava festival theme song contest, and darts tournament.

In the culmination program is the search for Mr and Ms Tuba where the winners will represent the town during the Benguet Adivay festival Mr. and Ms. Adivay 2019.

Sal-ongan added Tabuk City Tourism Officer Arlene Odiem will be invited as guest speaker.

She added the annual activity is anchored through Municipal ordinance passed in 2014.

This year’s Ava festival will be celebrated with the theme: “Strengthening our Culture and Community Harmony towards Enrinced Agri-Tourism Industry.”