Benguet's Adivay Festival pushes thru amid pandemic

Benguet, Philippines – The Province of Benguet will celebrate but opted for a simple celebration of the ‘Adivay Festival’ for this year, removing some of its activities that used to be done prior to the pandemic.

The simple celebration, they said, will ensure that health and safety protocols will be observed.

The festival shall formally open next week, November 8, 2021.

Mountain Province Broadcasting Corporation reports that Governor Melchor Diclas reasoned out that some activities such as parades and setting up of tents by municipalities are canceled to comply with pandemic restrictions.

Likewise, the governor informed that the search for Mister and Miss Benguet this year will also be canceled.

Aside from this, the simultaneous butchering of pigs at the Wangal Sports Center by each of the municipalities of the province will not happen, but the ritual, “Cañao” shall push through at the Wangal Sports Gymnasium on November 23.

Cañao involves the sacrificing of animal, feasting and dancing by Benguet natives. This is commonly performed for thanksgiving, healing rites, entertainment, or for asking for a bountiful harvest.

Meantime, activities to push through include the kick off program, skills competition and battle of the bands which shall happen at the Benguet Capitol. In addition, sports events and the vaccination caravan are also among the list of activities to be conducted.

A five-day agricultural fair spearhead by the provincial agriculture office at the Benguet sports Complex shall also transpire.

As participants for the activities are limited, Diclas informed that some events during the celebration will be aired on social media, particularly on Facebook and YouTube.

For this year, the observation of Adivay Fest will revolve on the theme, 'Resilient and Healthier Benguet-Flourishing in the Midst of Adversity'.

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