Balbalan, Kalinga – Coinciding with its 115th Founding Anniversary celebration, Balbalan in Kalinga is set to kick-off its yearly devour “Manchatchatong” Festival later this week.
“Manchatchatong” is a local term meaning meeting or coming together. It is a call for a gathering among the 14 villages for the festivity to be held in town proper.
The celebration will start with the Cultural Night at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, at the Municipal Ground. Wilbur Cobangbang will blow the “Tangguyob Di Manchatchatong” to be followed by the Native Air “Ayug” Competition. The first part will end with a fireworks display before the dinner.
Regional Director of the Department of Tourism – Cordillera, Jovita Ganongan, Kalinga Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang, and Mayor Almar Malannag are expected to grace the Anniversary Day on Friday. Following the morning program will be the ribbon cutting which will signal the start of the Agro-Industrial Fair.
In the afternoon of the same day will be the drum and lyre and cheerdance competitions among schools.
Happening at 6 p.m. at the KDCM Sports Center is the Search for Miss Balbalan 2023 with live concert. Miss Balbalan 2019 Racquel Bernardos will pass the coveted crown to the deserving candidate that night.
On the third day at BCS Ground will be the parade of schools and the enhanced cultural street dancing competition that will be graced by Governor James Edduba, Vice-Governor Jocel Baac and Mayor Malannag.
Achievers in the municipality will be duly recognized in the afternoon of the same day and venue. Among those who will be recognized are Jomar Balangui for clinching bronze medal in the Asian Kickboxing Championship 2022, Ira Jean Saga-oc for placing 10th in the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers, and Ceasar Ace Malannag for winning the National MakeX Robotics Competition and for placing 2nd in the National Battle of Math and Science Champions Year 9 (Grade 10), among others.
For basketball and volleyball games, the match will start at 8:00 a.m. on March 02 and will continue at 1:00 p.m. the next day. The championship match will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Basketball games will be held at BNHS, STS and BCS Grounds, while volleyball games will be at KDCM Sports Center.
“Manchatchatong tako susunod kan kakailyan un iBalbalan”
In a statement, Mayor Malannag invited his constituents saying, “Manchatchatong tako susunod kan kakailyan un iBalbalan sinsatun un umoy taku panangselebrar si maika-115th un Municipal Founding Anniversary kan Manchatchatong Festival tun ayayaton takun ili chi kaanusan un Gimpong.”
The theme, “Anggom taku Pumiyaan si Masakbayan”, he explained, is rooted on his administration’s thrust and platforms that they aim to extend to the guests and communities.
“A call for union across borders of the town to celebrate our vision towards the betterment of the people and a better Balbalan,” Malannag added.
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