Lang-ay Festival set for April 1-9; Features 'Moto-cause'

BAGUIO CITY - Mountain Province is set to celebrate its 46th founding anniversary in the Lang-ay festival on April 1-9 showcasing the province's rich cultural heritage , and for the first time will feature a “Moto-Cause” event - a double fun and adventure bike race with a humanitarian cause.

Provincial Information Officer Angel Baybay, in a Department of Tourism (DOT) - led kapihan forum here, disclosed that aside from the cultural presentations, street dancing and agri trade fair, among others showing the people's traditions and products, a “moto-cause” is set this April 1.

Aside from promoting a sports and adventure event and promoting the tourism potential of the other places in the province as well as the town people’s way of life, it is for a humanitarian cause as the main beneficiaries of the event are the indigent patients of Mt. Province who are undergoing hemo-dialysis. Each participant shall pay P200.00.

"For many years now when talking about Lang-ay, it is the capital town of Bontoc always comes to mind but our culture could be better understood if the tourists would have a chance to look for themselves and see the way of life of the people by passing through the other town and local community”, Baybay explained.

There will be two routes for the said event. The first route will start from Bontoc heading to Sagada –Besao – Tadian – Bauko - Sabangan then back to Bontoc which is approximately 150 kilometers of smooth and rough roads.

For extreme riders there is the second route which will follow the same path but after Tadian , they will go to Cervantes, Ilocos Sur before proceeding to Bauko. Those who will take the first route will use scooter and the second route riders will use mountain bikes, Baybay added.

Other events for a cause that are also included in the Lang-ay Festival is the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) “FC II – Wushu Xanda” tournament scheduled on April 6 at St. Vincent High School and a concert for a cause scheduled in the same day at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.

In celebration of Mt. Province’s 46th Foundation Day on April 7, there will be a civic-military parade along the main thoroughfares of Bontoc Mt. Province as well as the Foundation Day program at the front of the town’s Multi-purpose building.

The street dancing and cultural presentation by the ten municipalities is scheduled on April 6. (CCD/Jeffrey Gallardo PIA Intern)