PLANS are now underway for the celebration of Adivay 2020 to be held in Toronto, Canada.

This after the successful holding of the 8th Biennial Adivay Celebration with the theme “Preserving the Benguet Culture for Future Generations” on June 30 to July 2 at Tuckahoe State Park Queen Anne, Maryland.

Hosted by Benguet 13 Association of East Coast Inc. USA under the leadership of President Evelyn Gawec De Jesus, the successful event was attended by members of Benguet 13 Organization of California Inc., Kabenguetan Organization of Toronto Canada, and New England BIBAK USA.

De Jesus said over 300 Cordillerans coming from Canada, California, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Texas, Michigan, Virginia Beach, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky and other States attended the gathering which even strengthened the unity and solidary among the attendees.

More than just a celebration, the event which is yearly celebrated in the province of Benguet is their way of keeping the cultural heritage alive.

Their goal is to pass the torch to the kids in the USA and Canada who only have limited encounter with the indigenous practices.

“We would like to instill to our kids that we are celebrating not only to have fun but to rediscover our rich history, culture, traditions, practices, may it be in our dances, songs, the rhythm of the gongs, solibao...,” she added.

The festival highlights include the live band performance, sports competition, youth night, and the cultural night where many came with their best Benguet traditional attire.

Some of the participants include Juliet Batinay Marcelo of Toronto; Audie Cabico, Clemente Laoyan III, Sarah Cagas, Fabian Baucas Sr, Gracia Dela Cruz, and Sarah Cagas who documented the happening; and Dumlingay Telang.

Benguet 13 was founded by a group headed by Pete Buasen in 2003.

It is good to know that many Cordilleran groups abroad are taking the cudgel to preserve and revitalize our own unique culture and tradition.

Let us cherish and celebrate the culture we inherited from our ancestors.

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