To the tune of music, the 13 towns of Benguet once again united for the Grand Cañao at the 124th Adivay Festival.

This was started with the 13 towns showcasing their traditional dances.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the Day-eng, the traditional prayer of the Cordillerans.

“Prayer for the people and the whole province of Benguet,” said Benjamin Balboza, Provincial Indigenous People’s Mediator Representative.

But aside from celebrating tradition, one of the topics discussed was the improvement and further development of tourism in the province.

“If you observe, the 122nd, 123rd, and now the 124th Adivay Festival, each year it gets better. So I said, let’s all work together. Every day should be Adivay,” said Cong. Eric Go Yap, Lone District – Province of Benguet.

One of the things that is being given attention here is the traditional weaving.

“Again, when I say we will bring tourists to our province, it means we will bring business here. We won’t give away our values. We will not compromise our values, we will not compromise our land,” Yap added.

Aside from this, there is also an effort to recognize the rights of indigenous people to their ancestral domains.

“They will talk to the governor and the provincial council to mediate how we can protect the watershed, while not displacing those who have been living there for a long time,” Yap mentioned.

“Let us have joy, the spirit of joy, as we celebrate Adivay, reminding us that in unity there is strength, reminding us that we are peaceful and loving citizens of the province of Benguet. Thank you for being here, and God bless everyone,” said Vice Gov. Ericson ‘Tagel’ Felipe, Province of Benguet.

The ‘Depap,’ or traditional pig slaughter for feasts, was a crowd favorite.

At the end of the celebration, thousands of attendees shared the ‘Watwat,’ or boiled pork.

Other Adivay activities will continue until December 3.

Adivay is an Ibaloi word meaning unity.

**VANESSA BUGTONG