BEFORE its establishment, Ifugao was part of the old Mountain Province, along with Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga and Benguet. But through the House Bill no. 1526, also known as Republic Act 4695 or the Division Law of Mountain Province, Ifugao finally gained its status as a separate province.
This year, the Cordilleran province, along with its 11 municipalities, celebrates its golden anniversary through the annual festival dubbed Gotad Ad Ifugao. Gotad means the cycle in the annual life of the Ifugao, signifying the period after the planting season when the people usually take a rest while waiting for the harvest season to begin.
The grand celebration has been set on June 12 to 18, with activities that showcases indigenous sports, dances and songs. Aside from being the founding anniversary celebration, Gotad Ad Ifugao is also a good opportunity for the province to promote their culture, customs, traditions and practices.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, led by its chairman Felipe de Leon Jr and OIC-executive director Adelina Suemith, supports the province in their endeavor to strengthen their community spirit, while preserving their heritage as a people through the festival.
With the theme "Haggiyo Ifugao,” the week-long celebration kicks off with a biking event contest on June 12. The sporting event will start and end at the Capitol Plaza. There will be a thanksgiving mass and interfaith program on June 13, followed by a civic parade, indigenous culinary arts competition, OFW forum and a grand “Gotad” ball.
The festivities continue with an agri-industrial trade fair, statistical extravaganza and photo exhibit, performing arts winners exhibition, demonstration of ethnic skills, “baya” (rice wine) competition, and the pre-pageant in the evening on June 14. The following day, there will be the school of living traditions showcase, film showing about the history of Ifugao and development symposium, and musical and cultural theater festival.
Not to be missed are the cultural sports competition, marathon in G-strings and the Bugan ya wigan di Gotad 2016 (Mr. and Miss Ifugao),which will be held on June 16. The much-awaited float parade will be on June 17. On the last day of festival, there will be the grand gotad parade and a community lunch, followed by the closing program. The province expects hundreds of locals and tourists gathering and joining the merry-making in Lagawe, the capital town of Ifugao.
Festivals, like Gotad Ad Ifugao, are the best way to learn about our people, their history, culture and traditions. Don't miss this merry-making and keep "Igniting the Filipino Imagination."