Street Dance competition to take center stage on Bodong Fest this February

Tabuk City, Kalinga - As Kalinga prepares for the most exciting event of the year, the Bodong Festival, plans on how various events will be showcased are now being unveiled by the various committees assigned.

One of the most sought-after events is the street dancing competition, and this year, 1,145 of the best street dancers all over the province are expected to flock to the streets of Bulanao on February 13, with its assembly point at the Rotary Marker, near the Davidson Hotel in Tabuk City.

These dancers include 200 performers each from Balbalan and Lubuagan, 80 from Pasil, 120 from Pinukpuk, 170 from Rizal, 180 from Tabuk City, 80 from Tanudan, and 115 from Tinglayan.

In the streets, these performers would showcase their outstanding talent in dancing as well as their colorful apparel and adornments, which is one of the highlights of the Bodong Festival.

However, the provincial government of Kalinga reminded performers not to wear costumes designed using two of the Kalinga textiles, the Lilabey and Kila-e.

This is with respect to the cultural significance of the two textile designs.

“These designs hold significant cultural and spiritual importance and are recommended to be treated with the utmost respect and consideration,” Kalinga PLGU explained.

Meanwhile, as relayed by a provincial official in an earlier interview, the same activities as last year will be anticipated in the month-long Bodong Festival celebration in February this year, apart from the inclusion of gentlemen in the annual search of the province’s ambassador.

Other activities lined up are the festival's Grand Kick-off Day, the Bodong Congress, the renowned invitational Lumin-awa Trek, the Municipality Day, the Bodong Agro-Fair, the Pasil Slow Food and Earth Market, and School’s Day, among others.

Anticipated guests of honor and speakers for the festival are Sen. Robin Padilla and his wife, Mariel Padilla.