Mayor Gumilab commends iTinglayans for showing unity and heritage

Tinglayan, Kalinga – Mayor Sacrament Gumilab conveyed his appreciation to the iTinglayans for showing the vibrant and deeply rooted culture of the municipality in the grandest festivity in the province, the Bodong Festival which was celebrated recently.

For this year’s festivity, Tinglayan particularly the Sumadel community prepared for two of the celebration’s major presentations, the Diddiga on February 12 and the Bodong Street Dance on February 13.

In the Diddiga, the iTinglayans showcased ‘Funong’, a ritual of welcome, respect, and unity where they likewise highlighted the use of ‘saggaypu’ or bamboo flute in their performance. The Sumadel National High School, meantime, treated the public with their synchronized and creative performance in the Street Dancing competition.

Apart from these two major events, the town’s bet in the mother of all the pageants in Kalinga, the Search for Miss Kalinga 2025, Mary Ann Solog, brought home the second-runner up title. Solog is from the Butbut and Basao tribes.

Mayor Gumilab could not be prouder of his kailyans and constituents, thanking them for preparing and representing Tinglayan in the Bodong Festival. Gumilab added that he is elated to see them participate and take the spotlight to show the country and the world how rich the heritage of Kalinga is.

For Solog, the mayor commended her for her outstanding performance in the search.

“The Municipality of Tinglayan celebrates your incredible achievement! Your journey was one of dedication, resilience, and grace, and we are beyond proud of the way you represented our community. Reaching this stage in such a prestigious competition is no small feat. You carried yourself with confidence and elegance, inspiring many along the way,” he said.