TUBA, Benguet – Traditional dances and the butchering of native pigs marked the opening of the first Kennon Road Festival.
On Wednesday, March 6, rituals and prayers held by the residents also set the tone for the festival.
Tuba Municipal Tourism Officer Anabel Solano said the celebration seeks to commemorate the construction of Kennon Road, a major highway traversing Baguio City and Benguet province.
"What we aim is to commemorate the construction of the road with about 4,000 people in different nations who took part of its construction," Solano said as she highlighted the role of Igorots in the construction of the highway.
Construction of Kennon Road was completed in 1905. Its opening provided access to residents of Camp 1 to 6 in Tuba, Benguet.
The festival also aims to keep in unison the six barangays of Kennon Road and strengthen the culture and educate stakeholders on the historical foundations of the road.
The five-day celebration was highlighted by a three-hour musical play entitled “The Making of Kennon Road” on Thursday, March 7, at the Camp 4 Gym. Performers from Camp 6 Grade 10 students were tapped for the play.
An ecumenical service was also held to pray for the successful road repairs and the safety of travelers and residents traversing the area.
Other events slated during the festivity until March 10 are color fun run, battle of the bands, spelunking at Aran Cave, Makedsang trail run, and enduro race challenge, among others.
"Ito iyong pinaka short na travel going to Baguio and some municipalities of Benguet. Importante talaga (ang Kennon Road) sana tuloy tuloy iyong rehabilitation," Solano said.
(This is the shortest route to Baguio and some municipalities of Benguet. This road is very important. I hope its rehabilitation will continue.)
Kennon Road was totally closed to all motorists following the rehabilitation of Camp 5 bridge and rock netting activities at Klondykes.
Mayor Ignacio Rivera said he remains bullish that the national road would be re-opened.