Mountain Province celebrates rich heritage with Lang-ay Festival 2025

The staging of the 18th "Lang-ay" (spirit of sharing as one community) Festival in Bontoc reminds the people of Mountain Province that their rich cultural heritage will evolve amidst the challenges of modernization as long as the people remain united and live harmoniously.

The Provincial Government of Mountain Province, led by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr., joined the people of Mountain Province — including visitors and tourists —i n watching the fireworks display on the night of 6 April 2025, at Eyeb Ground in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

The "Lang-ay" Festival, coinciding with the 58th founding anniversary of Mountain Province, is considered the mother of all festivals in the province, focusing on the rich culture of the "YMontañosa" or people of the mountains.

It serves as the culmination of all the festivals of the municipalities of Tadian, Besao, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin, and Paracelis. Most of the festivals in these municipalities are anchored in giving thanks for the bountiful harvest, generally termed as "Begnas."

Every year, the province features the "Lang-ay on the Street" during the first week of April, where the main street of the capital town of Bontoc is closed to vehicular traffic and stalls are erected. Different traditional delicacies and various kinds of food are offered free to the public. This is one of the manifestations of the cultural trait of community sharing within the people of Mountain Province.

One of the highlights of the festival is the street cultural dancing and performances. The youth and elders from the ten municipalities showcase their traditional dances and chants, and also perform modified and choreographed routines that still stay true to traditional dance steps.

The staging of the festival is also a bid to boost the tourism industry of the province.