Kalinga prepares for 2025 Bodong Festival; suggested added events include Trekking, Off-road, Motocross

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga PLGU bares plans for 2025 Kalinga Bodong Festival, the biggest event in the province which usually draws thousands of tourists annually.

Bodong Festival is a cultural celebration of the Kalinga people, promoting their cultural practices, songs, dances, and indigenous products along with some competitions. This year, visitors can expect another enjoyable and fantastic festivity as the province begins the preparations early.

During the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo held at the Provincial Capitol this January 6, 2025, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Flor Moldero discussed the list of recommended activities that will be conducted in the said celebration which is a mix of performances, contests, exhibitions, heart throbbing events, and sectoral as well as towns and the city’s participation.   

Expected events

Main events will happen from February 10 to 16, 2025, while others will be spread out in the said month. While some of the suggested activities await approval, here are some which tourists can expect and their tentative schedules, which can help in deciding how to make prior arrangements.

On February 10, the Bodong festival kicks off with Farmers, Coopperatives, and Civil Society Organizations’ Day - a float parade and a formal opening program will be held. The province said they are planning to invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guest speaker. In the afternoon of said date, there shall be the Opening of the Bodong Agro-Fair and at night, the concert of local artists at the Capitol Park.

On February 11, it is the day of the Ethnolinguistic Groups and Business Sector. Some expected activities include Cultural Parade, a Formal Program with Senator Loren Legarda as guest, and Multicultural Performances.

On February 12, this will be a day for the municipalities and the city that comprise the province. Another cultural parade will be held, this time, by the towns and the city and a formal program which shall attended by Governor Chavit Singson as the guest speaker. In the afternoon, the Diddiga di Kalinga (a traditional dance accompanied by the playing of Gongs) will be held and at night the Miss Kalinga 2025 Coronation Night.

On February 13, the Bodong Street Dance, Street Dance Showdown, and a formal program shall be conducted with Senator Juan Edgardo Angara as the guest speaker. In the afternoon, Drum and Lyre Competition (secondary category) as the Laga Fashion Show will follow.

On February 14, Kalinga Founding Anniversary Day will be celebrated. The celebration includes a Grand Civic Parade and a formal program with DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as guest speaker. Afternoon events include Drum and Lyre Competition (elementary category), Barangay Solidarity Night, and Fireworks Display.

In the following days, there shall be Firearms Registration Caravan and added activities waiting approval like Trekking in the mountains of Balbalan;  Bikefest; Motocross; Off-road; Job, Skills and Career Fair; Dog Show and Launching of Science and Technology Innovation.