ABRA is set to celebrate its own festival.
The 8th Kawayan (bamboo) festival and the 98th Abra Foundation Anniversary is set to commence, March 6 to 9, gathering groups and stakeholders in the province.
The province’s 27 municipalities will participate in a merging of Ilocano and Tingguian culture as the province is adjacent to the Ilocos provinces while the upland towns are adjacent to Kalinga and Mountain Province in the Cordillera.
The Kawayan Festival was started in 2007 by Governor Eustaquio Bersamin pushing for the use of bamboo. The event aims to push production of bamboo products and make the province as a top quality bamboo producer.
Since the staging of the 1st festival there are now 100 entrepreneurs producing bamboo products venturing into export.
On the opening day of the celebration, farmers will showcase their agricultural produce during the Farmer’s Day on March 6 where the Agricultural and Trade Fair and Art Exhibit showing different bamboo-base products will be the highlight.
In the evening, the “Silnag,” Ilocano term meaning illumination or Parade of Lights Competition will be held.
The second day of the festival – the Youth day will start with a parade where the public will be entertained with the street dancing at field demonstration competition. One criterion required of the participants is the use of costume using bamboo.
In celebration and recognition of the importance of the women – an internationally recognized women’s day on March 8 will have“The Barong” parade where lady mayors and the wives of the male mayors will show-off their barong while atop a float garbed using the bamboo will parade along this capital town’s main thoroughfare.
In the evening, the “Bands of Kawayan Pilipinas Incorporated” will provide entertainment.
On its last day, March 9, which coincides with the 98th Foundation day of the province, the grand parade with all 27 municipalities coming up with their bamboo floats will be featured.
Bersamin said the festival is staged for Abreños, giving them a reason to come home for them to see how the province has improved economically and the efforts being exerted to improve the peace and order.