WE HUDDLED around the fire echoing the squeal of the self-appointed chant leader: “Aaaaddiiiivvvaayyy! Huuuu! Huuuu!”. There were about five or six more bonfires around the BSU oval – each with their own concerts and theatrical exhibitions. It was already midnight and that November chill was piercing our leather jackets, but one cannot really suppress the 18-year-olds with booze at their disposal. That night, for them, was simply the best Adivay ever. “Aaaaddiiiivvvaayyy! Huuuu!Huuuu!”
That scene, a most prized decade-year-old memory, flashed back swiftly after a subdued concert in a much more subdued Adivay Festival. From a drunk participant to an event co-organizer, what can 10 years do? I saw myself from the Adivay acoustic band competition where La Trinidad talent, the “Kasinsin Band” bagged the 2nd top spot among other twelve participants. I saw my 8-year old self garbed in g-string and my childhood pride, from the Cultural Dance performances of the La Trinidad Central School Cultural Dance troupe at the Benguet Sports Complex where they won the 1st runner up among other ten participants. Surely, at least one of the talented performers will work for the Provincial Government of Benguet and become part of Adivay’s working committee in the future. That is what 10 years would do.
Before night fell, I eased myself in the bare trading booth – no people yet, no love birds, no loud music, no gleeful visitors in the capital town. This year will not be like the Adivay of my time. But, there is a time for everything, as they say; a time for that excessive merry-making like that decade year old treasured memory, and a time for restraint, of solidarity, of respect...of silence. There were too much death and destruction to warrant an unconscionable feast – the Benguet people will surely understand.
“Adivayan Muwan”, the people know how to take a cue. Even in a subdued event, the Benguet people will come together. The gathering is still a culture in itself that draws them to the Capital.
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The La Trinidad Digest (transformed from the La Trinidad News and Features as per the La Trinidad Digest Ordinance) will be coming up with the 2018 issue soon. As one of its contributors, I will be writing articles related to tourism, special events, history, culture and arts. Of course, the piling local tourism policies that will aid our tourism development services will be informed to the public in detail – thanks to the active involvement and legislative action of Councilor Roderick C. Awingan, the chairperson for Tourism and Special Events, among other committees, and of course, the unwavering support of my boss, La Trinidad’s most humble Mayor Romeo K. Salda.
Aside from the chairpersons of the Tourism Council, may I also thank all of the Municipal Officials, Department Heads, and all the La Trinidad Tourism Stakeholders for your support and trust. Definitely, the upcoming year will be much brighter, especially for the town’s tourism industry.