Benguet all set for Adivay Festival

ALL IS set for the month long celebration of ‘Adivay’, a coming together in the province of Benguet.

Instead of rituals which showcases celebration, traditional rituals will take center stage to sympathise to those who pass on in the previous calamities in the province.

The festival will kick off with a thanksgiving during the foundation day set on November 23 with a parade followed by the awards night.

A ‘pammakan’ ritual where pigs will be butchered and offered to the gods, including rice wine, to bless the casualties of previous calamities which struck the province followed by a ‘daw-es’ and ‘pakde.’

More than 60 activities are lined up for the celebration of Adivay comprised of the agri-fair highlighting different products and services that serve as livelihood from the 13 municipalities.

Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres assured the display of products will continue despite the few products as compared to the previous years. The fair also serves as meeting point of both products and buyers to link the producers to potential markets.

Adivay Festival was first staged in 2005. "Adivay" is an Ibaloi

term that means "coming together". The celebration is a gathering of Benguet's 13 towns in this provincial capital, with focus on the culture and products of the municipalities.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, "Benguet Culture - Unity, Industry, Prosperity: Managing Adversaries with Excellence thru Enhanced Indigenous Resilience”. It will feature the rich history, traditions, arts, music, culture, sports and trades and industries of the province from November 5 to December 9 with a proposed budget of P6.9 million.

Activities include the Small-Scale Mining and Land Congress, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit, Agro-Tourism Fair, and Environmental Forum.

A First Aid Safety Olympics will be held for elementary and high school students representing the 14 school districts of the province. The activity aims to enhance the students’ capability in giving first aid assistance.

Senator Cynthia Villar and Senator JV Ejercito is being eyed to be guest speaker during the foundation day.