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Cordillera’s Festival of Festivals doesn’t hold back in dances, songs, and the rhythms of life
All photos by Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler, unless otherwise indicated
BAGUIO, Philippines – There are festivals for every season in the Cordilleras, and then there are the eight choice ones that could serve as sampler of sorts for those who are interested in the culture and colors of the region.
And it was one sampler that didn’t hold back in “dances, songs, and the rhythms of life” — to borrow Department of Tourism (DOT) Cordillera Director Jovita Ganongan’s words — during the Festival of Festivals held in Baguio City during the recently concluded Indigenous People’s Month in October.
“The festivals we witness today are not mere spectacles, but reflections of the deep-rooted traditions that shape the cultural identity of the Cordilleras. Indeed, you will ‘Find Yourself in the Cordilleras,’” DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar said during the October 18 event, referring to the regional tourism’s brand.
DOT-CAR’s Ganongan highlighted the festival’s role in celebrating the Cordillera’s unique identity while preserving its traditions: “Each festival captures the essence of its origin and shares stories through dances, songs, and the rhythms of life — echoing our love for one another and our deep respect for Mother Nature.”
The annual festival — which featured a street dancing parade, with performances along Session Road leading to Malcolm Square, this year — not only celebrates IP Month. It also commemorates the 1997 signing of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). Proclamation No. 1906, Series of 2009, designates October as a month to recognize indigenous communities.
Here are the eight festivals any resident and tourist may want to include in their bucket list of things to experience in the Cordillera region:
Ifugao: Kulpi Ad Ifugao (The Beseechment of Protection)
Kulpi Ad Ifugao is a rice-planting ritual to invoke protection from disease and pests, ensuring a good harvest.
Tabuk City: Kopyan Chi Matagoan (The Vibrant Colors of the City Life)
It highlights the values of unity, harmony, and tranquility. The Kopyan Chi Matagoan festival is said to embody the vibrant colors of life in the city.
Apayao: Say-Am naya Apayao (A Tapestry of Gratitude and Joy)
It is a thanksgiving festival rooted in the Isneg tradition, showcasing ancient agricultural practices. The Say-am manifests the spirit of gratitude, community, and the deep connection to nature.
Mountain Province: Lang-Ay Festival (Fellowship and Merrymaking)
Lang-ay, from a local term meaning fellowship, features Mountain Province’s tradition of merrymaking. It is a celebration of the traditional lifestyle, fostering happiness, friendship, and family ties.
Baguio City: Panagbenga Festival (A Season of Blooming)
Known as the “season of blooming,” the festival is said to be rooted in the Luzon earthquake of 1990, a tribute to the Baguio City’s flowers and resilience despite the disaster. This year, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio’ featured ‘s grand float featured the slogan “Baguio Ever After,” emphasizing Baguio as a wedding destination.
It showcases the indigenous culture of the Ibaloi, including their rich history, arts, trades, and industries.
Kalinga: Bodong Festival (A Celebration of Peace and Harmony)
It presents the community’s harmonious commitment for cooperation and cultural preservation. The Bodong Festival celebrates the province’s peace accords, alongside Tabuk City’s Kopyan chi Matagoan.
Abra: Kawayan Festival (A Celebration of Resiliency and Tradition)
It showcases Abra’s bamboo products and celebrates resiliency and creativity.
– Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a third year college student and campus journalist from the University of the Philippines Baguio. The former editor in chief of Highland 360, a Baguio-based publication, she is also an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2024.
