Sagada hosts 3rd Pine Tree Festival

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- The Third Pine Tree Festival will be held in the tourist town of Sagada with exciting and educational activities on December 13 to 14 at Saint Mary School gymnasium.

An early morning bike run and a parade will kickstart the program, followed by the message of elder Walsiyen Gaongen of Sagada.

A photography contest, cultural dance competition, song writing and essay writing contest, on the spot poster making, and poem writing from participating secondary school students of the 12 districts of Mountain Province will also be conducted.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Manuel Pogeyed is set to conduct a seminar on cultural-environmental practices.

Dr. Michael Bengwayan, festival organizer and director of the sponsoring organization, Cordillera Ecological Center, and entomologist Bony Ligat of the Benguet State University will conduct a farmers' consultation.

A concert for a cause to aid students in their studies will take centerstage December 14, featuring local talents.

A journalism training seminar attended by high school students was conducted November 18 to 19, followed by a tree planting activity.

A medical and dental mission will be held December 12 at Antadao, Sagada by attending members of the Benguet Dental Chapter and the rural health unit of the local government of Sagada.

The 1st Pine Tree Festival was held at Benguet State University December 18, 2011 with a regional wide participation. The second was held at La Trinidad, Benguet with similar activities to celebrate the economic, social, cultural and environmental significance of the pine tree.

The event is made possible with donors from members of A Tree a Day, and with cooperation of Saint Mary School, Municipality of Sagada, Benguet Dental Chapter and the Department of Education-Mountain Province. (Gina Dizon)