THIS year’s Adivay aims to highlight Benguet’s culture and identity.
Governor Crecensio Pacalso, Executive Committee chair said despite efforts to save culture and tradition the youth have forgotten their own culture and identity as an Indigenous People.
“Ada ti makunkuna nga panagbalbaliw ti tiyempo ada ti tendency ti ubing malipatan da ti cultural identity, kina IP.”
(There is what we call change of time, there are tendencies where children have forgotten there cultural identity as Indigenous People.)
The province is set to celebrate the 117th founding anniversary with the theme: “Benguet Culture, Our Future: Sustaining Cultural Identity amidst Global changes.”
Pacalso emphasized for the upcoming celebration should be a continuous showcase of culture during the celebration using women’s clothing, the "kubal" or mens indigenous attire, musical instruments, gangsa artifacts that are native products of the province of Benguet.
A traditional Canao kicks off the program on Nov. 13 with Job fairs, Medical-dental-surgical mission on November 14 and 15 and eye screening checkup Nov. 22 conducted by the Provincial Health Organization at the Ben Palispis Hall while a folk dance competition inculcating dances in the region is slated Nov. 20 at the BSC Multi-Purpose Gym.
Pacalso said “We need to level up, upgrade methods of our agriculture, indigenous products, we have to maintain heirloom rice, sweet potato, all we have to do come up with means to meet global requirements of the modern society, not to totally eliminate old products.”
Adivay would also give recognition during Benguet Awards Night, Awards and Recognition Day: clean and green program November 22.
The 114 barangays of the province in Benguet are urge to participate in the Benguet Foundation Day parade November 23.
“For the Adivay we really need the participation of every municipality, we would like to solicit for the cooperation and participation of everyone,” Pacalso said.
Adivay” is an Ibaloi term translating into a coming together, annually, during the celebration, the province gathers all 13 municipalities to converge in an array of activities.