Kalinga’s 2027 Bodong Festival to focus on peace, healing; Search for the most peaceful tribe to be included

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Apart from the regular events and activities during the biggest celebration in the province, peacebuilding, healing and strengthening the traditional bodong system will be the central themes of Kalinga’s 2027 Bodong Festival.

Around 30 stakeholders gathered for a preliminary planning meeting on October 26, 2026, as directed by Governor James S. Edduba, to discuss activities that would highlight the role of bodong in promoting unity and preventing tribal wars.

Board Member Camilo Lammawin, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, emphasized that the celebration should demonstrate how the traditional peace pact helps maintain harmony among Kalinga communities.

“How can we highlight importance of the Bodong in our culture… daytoy koma ti kayat tayo nga iparuar… nga ti objective is Bodong ti gapu na nu apay adda kapya ditoy Kalinga, nu apay nga adda panagkaykaysa, isu ah ti iyemphasize tayo ditoy nga celebrasyon,” Lammawin said.

The bodong is Kalinga’s traditional peace-pact system between tribes or communities. It establishes agreements, responsibilities and customary processes for resolving disputes, maintaining peaceful relations and preventing conflicts. It remains an important part of iKalinga identity, cultural heritage and community relations.

Regie Wacas, representative of Congresswoman Caroline Agyao, said the festival should also address misconceptions about the traditional system, particularly the belief that it cannot help resolve tribal conflicts.

“It is concerning that there is misconception with the Bodong (that it cannot solve tribal war). So one of the things nga incorporate tayo to correct the misconception is how we can achieve peace through Bodong,” Wacas said.

Engr. Andres Ngao-I, chairman of the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council (MBCC), stressed that the peace pact is intended to prevent, not provoke, tribal wars.

“The mission or purpose of Bodong is to prevent tribal war,” Nago-I said, adding that “It is not the bodong that creates tribal war but rather isardeng na dayta. Isu nga awan tribal war nu saan mawaswas ti Bodong.”

Proposed activities include a Youth Bodong Congress featuring quiz competitions, lectures, information and education campaigns on the Pagta or customary laws, forums and demonstrations to help young people understand the peace-pact system and pass on traditional knowledge to the next generation.

Other proposals include Lunok and Dornat activities, theatrical presentations combining education and entertainment, Lumin-awa treks along designated tribal routes, and recognition of bodong holders. Organizers also proposed official ceremonies, parades, intertribal cultural performances, the installation of another peace shrine or improvement of an existing one, and a search for the most peaceful tribe.

The activities remain tentative and will be subject to further review and approval. Participants also suggested shortening the festival to address funding limitations and the manpower needed to manage the proposed events.

The preliminary meeting was chaired by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Flor Moldero. Also present were Father George Manisem, Bishop Hilary Pasikan, Atty.

Francis Calsiyao, Provincial Health Office II head Dr. Edward Tandingan, Tourism Officer Lorraine Ngao-I, Former Tinglayan Mayor and KBCE Chairman Johnny Maymaya, and Board Member Camilo Lammawin, along with other stakeholders.

Organizers said the festival aims to reinforce the bodong as a living tradition and a means of promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and lasting peace among Kalinga communities.