After a three year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and suspension of all festivals and crowd gathering events, the 10th Laga Weaving Festival hosted by the municipality of Lubuagan in Kalinga is back on track as one of Kalinga province’s longest running and sought after festivals.
A colorful and sterling cultural dance and music ensemble performance by Lubuagans was highlighted on March 30 with performances replete with colorful traditional Kalinga regalia and musical rendition of Kalinga musical ensembles.
Department of Tourism Usec. Ferdinand Jumapao, the event’s guest of honor; Kalinga Gov. James Edduba, and Lubuagan officials and other guests joined the traditional Kalinga dance tachok chi umili.
The annual Laga Festival is a 10-day event featuring cultural music, dances, agro fair, sports, fashion, civic events, fashion show, pageantry, and food festivals.
Launched in 2011, the Laga Festival became the annual festival of Lubuagan in celebration of the time-honored cultural expression of traditional art work as their dignified source of income, livelihood, and employment.
With the vanishing weaving communities of Kalinga, the village of Mabilong in Lubuagan has sustained the traditional backstrap weaving techniques including its designs and patterns hence became the major weaving center in the province. – Dave C. Leprozo
