 |
| Traditional costumes are on display during the 6th annual get-together and 3rd Tapuey Festival of Rambak Cordillera Group-Hong Kong on Chatewr Road. |
Members of Rambak Cordillera Group-Hong Kong celebrated on Aug 21 their 6th annual get-together and 3rd Tapuey Festival on Chater Road .
The celebration centered on a competition where members got to show off their skills in making tapuey, a native rice wine consumed as an ordinary beverage or used during rituals or rites of passage.
The United Mangkayan Workers Association defeated the other 10 groups in making the best tapuey, and received a $300 cash prize. Bugias Organization came in second, and took home 200 cash, while the Onjon di Evadoy took third place, and $100 cash. A consolation prize of $50 was given to each of the other competing groups.
There was also a cultural competition as part of the merrymaking. Benguet bagged the top prize of $500, while Montanyosa took 2nd place with $400, and Kalinga came in third, with $300.
Guest speaker was Jeth Magoo, a Cordilleran based in Viena Austra, who came to visit with her two teenaged daughters. Magoo praised the group for its successful celebration of their hometown’s festivals, and was all praises for the cultural presentation, saying it showcased the genuine culture of every town that each competing group represented.
She also cited Rambak chair Veronica C. Tabao-ican for her exemplary leadership, and said the event would not have been such a big success if it were not for her.
Grace Padua, a representative from the Philippines for Homeland Ili, called on the group to continue promoting the culture of Cordillera even away from their homeland so it won’t be lost to the succeeding generations.
Another guest, Bethune House executive director Edwina Antonio thanked the group for supporting the shelter as part of their charity advocacy. Antonio said the group donates to Bethune House, whether in cash or in kind, every quarter of the year.
Providing entertainment was a group of Cordillera men in g-strings who performed a native dance, to the delight of the audience and some passersby.
