TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Students from the higher educational institutions in the province spearheaded by the Kalinga State University staged the first Bodong Student Summit at the Kalinga Sports Center.
Elders and provincial officials called for the students and the youth to sustain bodong as a cultural heritage, respect it as a tradition, practice it as the way to peace, and live by its pagta (by-laws).
It is noted whenever a bodong is severed, students are affected since their studies are disrupted because of fear of being possible targets of revenge.
The summit was highlighted with portrayal of the process of the bodong, salidummay, and uggayam competition, painting, and Search for Student Bodong Ambassador.
Bryan Gaddawon Taluyan and Neredith Ongyao Abannag of Kalinga Colleges of Science and Technology emerged as winners in the 1st Kalinga Bodong Ambassador and Ambassadress Search.
The event was sponsored by the Office of the Congressman as part of the celebration of the 28th Kalinga Founding Anniversary and 4th Bodong Festival.
KSU President Eduardo Bagtang proposed to the provincial government through the Office of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare Febr. 8 as Bodong Student Summit. – Peter Balocnit
