As Benguet celebrates its 123rd Foundation Day through the annual Adivay Festival next month, the province launches its new tourism tagline promising “unforgettable getaways”.
The tagline, “Benguet: Gateway to unforgettable getaways” is also this year’s festival theme, according to Gov. Melchor Diclas during the launching of the line-up of activities from Nov. 6 to Dec. 9.
The month-long festival is a showcase of what the province has to offer in terms of its rich culture, industrious people and unique destinations, which is encapsulated in the theme.
“We will eventually adopt the theme as the official tagline of the province’s tourism promotions,” Diclas said.
Provincial Tourism Officer Eleazar Carias said the province boasts of the best of the best in the country including having the best human development index, well-preserved fire mummies, strawberry fields and strawberry products, temperate vegetables, pristine natural lakes, highest peak in Northern Luzon, highest road network, and coldest temperature, among others.
Carias said the province has recorded 932,603 visitors in 2022 while the data from January to September this year listed 770,000 tourists.
The Adivay Festival kicks off on Nov. 6 with ecumenical service and program at the Capitol main entrance, followed by pre-pageant for the Mr. and Ms. Benguet; the mining and environment forum on Nov. 9 at the Benguet Sports Complex multipurpose gymnasium; the trade fair opening, second Adivay quiz bee; and Benguet cultural dance performances will be on Nov. 11.
Set on Nov. 14 is the agri-tourism fair opening at the BSC; inter-municipal indigenous peoples’ games and acoustic competition on Nov. 15; the senior citizen’s Adivay show, skills competition, farmer’s day, and the Stellar Health Achievements Yearly Awards (Shayaw) on Nov. 16; and the pre-pageant for Mr. and Ms Benguet on Nov. 17.
The newest addition to the lineup of activities is the Benguet fusion fashion showcase at the BSC gym on Nov. 18; the children’s congress, lapan (rabbit meat) cooking contest, and the awarding of the best integrated farming system and best rabies program implementer will be on Nov. 21.
The annual Benguet awards program, which honors the outstanding citizens of the province will be on Nov. 22 at the Newtown Plaza Hotel; Nov. 24 will be the closing of the agri-tourism fair; Nov. 25 will be the Mr. and Miss Benguet coronation night; and the mass wedding on Nov. 28 at the St. Paul Parish in Tuba.
Multi-day activities are the acoustic singing competition audition on Nov. 7 to 10 at the Ben Palispis Hall; trade fair on Nov. 11 to 26 at the BSC; jobs fair on Nov. 13 to 14 at the Ben Palispis Auditorium; agri-tourism fair on Nov. 14 to 24 at the BSC; provincial employees bike ride on Nov. 28 at Bokod and Nov. 29 at Kabayan.
The highlight of the festival would be the grand cañao celebration on Nov. 23 at the BSC multipurpose gymnasium which will start with a parade from the Capitol grounds to the BSC where the program will be conducted.
Other community-led activities are also set during the month-long event which gathers the 13 municipalities of Benguet and welcomes visitors and guests in a grand celebration of the province’s glorious 123rd anniversary. – Ofelia C. Empian
