BAGUIO CITY, JANUARY 12, 2012 (BULLETIN)
THE town of Itogon, Benguet recently showcased its rich indigenous
culture with a series of festivals to mark its 111th founding day.
Celebrations commenced with the traditional Ibaloi tribal rites, the Kintoman
harvest fest highlighted by the pounding and winnowing of the kintoman updland
rice variety amidst community dancing of the Tayao.
The town also launched the Balitok Festival to highlight the town's gold
mining industry which once hosted one of the biggest mines in the Cordillera
mountain ranges. Elementary school students portrayed through dance Itogon's
small-scale mining practices.
It was a day of merriment as the community held the traditional cañao tribal
ritual feast to celebrate the establishment of Itogon as a municipality.
Festivities concluded with the Dongba di Kavadjo, a horse racing sports event
aimed at reviving the raising of horses as means of transportation in the
hinterlands.
Itogon Mayor Oscar Maingpes Camantiles said that the festivities seek
to relive the vanishing traditions of the Ibaloi tribe, and draw attention to
the town's eco-tourism and cultural potentials.
Situated at the doorstep of Baguio City, he noted that the town is endowed by
a myriad of natural attractions which are considered to be its tourism next gold
mines.
Other events included an agro-industrial fair, a fun run, mountain biking,
barangay cultural shows, various sporting tournaments and socio-civic affairs.
The town's iconic geological monument is the 2,150-meter legendary Mt. Ugo
which continues to draw nature and adventure lovers, and offers a scenic view of
Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan and Benguet. The Mt. Ugo Summer Climb is one of the
country's most-waited mountaineering sports events which has won tourism
accolades from various awards-giving bodies.
Other peaks are the 1,240-meter Mt. Bidawan, a pine forested municipal
wildlife sanctuary located at the town proper, and Mt. Marikit and Mt. Palanchey
for advance climbers.
Below this mountain range is the mighty Agno River, the fifth largest
river system in the Philippines, which traverses the Cordilleras.
Must-sees are Balatoc Mines, the centerpiece of the Benguet Mines Tourism
Village which gives visitors a taste of life in the mining caves, and Binga Dam,
one of the largest hydroelectric power plants which supplies energy to Luzon.
Take a rejuvenating dip at the hot springs pools of 1300L, whose waters
emanate from Benguet Corporation's drain tunnel, and at the famed Asin Hot
Springs.
A short distance away is the Suyok Falls which cascades at 20 meters high and
whose spacious catch basin provides a good bath area.
For a glimpse of authentic Ibaloi lifestyle, swing by the Cadiosao Complex
which is composed of vernacular houses and a common front yard which once hosted
the biggest cañao in the Agno River area.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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