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By Harley Palangchao, Correspondent
As the beat of the gongs rhythmically struck,
villagers from all walks of life in Kabayan, Benguet, proudly chant
and dance as they joined the grand cañao (indigenous feast) in
celebration of the formal launching of the eco-tourism program of
this mystic town.
And there was a show of pride and glory as proud
people when dozens of old and young female villagers presented the
much-awaited bendiyan, a rarely performed communal dance performed
by nearly a hundred Kabayan villagers.
It was a grand celebration as countless
villagers from all the barangays in this landlocked town came
together to reunite and show support to the eco-tourism program with
high hopes that it would improve further their lives.
Kabayan, which play host to the centuries-old
mummies safely kept in burial caves, and to Mount Pulag, highest
peak in Luzon, is being pushed as the newest tourism icon in the
Cordilleras after Sagada, Mountain Province and Banaue, Ifugao.
Participants to the fourth Kabayan local
government-organized climb to Mount Pulag were also invited to be
part of the grand cañao celebration to have a glimpse the rich
culture in the shadow of the mountains.
The support to the eco-tourism program was
overwhelming as mayors Eduardo Latawan Jr. of Sagada and Lino
Madchiw of Banaue were invited to share some of the best practices
as regards promoting the exquisiteness of a place.
Gov. Nestor Fongwan of Benguet and former Gov.
Rocky Molintas, including Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel and Olga Dangwa, wife
of Rep. Samuel Dangwa of Benguet, were also in attendance during the
grand cañao.
Department of Tourism Director Puricacion
Molintas said that her office has selected Kabayan as the potential
newest tourism icon in the northern highland.
With some of the sites of the Kabayan mummies
visited by tourists, respect to traditions and cultural sensitivity
are paramount reminders that need to be strictly observed by anyone.
And with Mount Pulag as the primary site of the
eco-tourism program of Kabayan, it means that the officials and
villagers share a great responsibility to protect and preserve the
national park and biggest watershed in the country.
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