Ammungan Festival 2019 Parade

Ammungan Festival is an annual celebration in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, located in the Luzon island of the Philippines. Luckily, we were able to see and experience the festival. However, we will just be covering the parade that happened on May 24, 2019. Read on for more details on this festive event!

The 2019 Ammungan Festival was held in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya from May 22, 2019 to May 26, 2019. Ammungan means gathering in the Gaddang dialect (Babiera, 2014), which is among one of the many dialects in the Philippines. Nueva Vizcaya has 15 towns, namely Alfonso Castañeda, Ambaguio, Aritao, Bagabag, Bambang, Bayombong, Diadi, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Kayapa, Quezon, Solano, Santa Fe, and Villaverde. During this festival, the province was able to show their rich culture through the exhibition and holding of boodle fights, singing competitions, beauty pageants, dance competitions, endurance challenges, music classes and many more. One of the most important events that we liked (though we were unfortunately unable to attend it), was the recognition of farmers and fishermen in the province.

On May 24, 2019, the Parade of Floats was held from the Capitol to the Grand Stand of Bayombong. The parade shows different music organizations in the province. Politicians also walked on the streets to participate in the events. Each float represents the agriculture of each town in the province. In each float, the contestants for the Saniata Ti Nueva Vizcaya, which translates to Miss Nueva Vizcaya, were with the Mayor of each town. The parade of the floats were then followed by street dancers, who were wearing traditional clothing of their province. After the parade, the street dancers held a street dancing competition at the grand stand.

After the parade, we went to the Capitol where the Agri-Trade Fair Gawang Vizcayano Exhibit was displayed, which had Nipa huts for each town. Each nipa hut held engaging culturesque events such as landscape contests and even showcased some of their products! Below are some of the pictures taken, depicting the adventure described above.

Above all, the experience was phenomenal. And this is not limited to what we saw, ate and even to the fun events we witnessed and/or participated in. This feeling can also be extended on a more personal level, in a sense where, after attending this fabulous and must-attend event, we have never felt so in touch and emotionally moved with the different cultures in the Philippines. There really is more to a country's culture that meets the eye. This experience is definitely something to remember. Here's to more culture-experiencing trips!

Reference:

ArtsHeadlines, and Fashion. “Nueva Vizcaya Mounts Ammungan Fest, Celebrates Diversity.” Inquirer Lifestyle, 13 July 2014, https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/165843/nueva-vizcaya-mounts-ammungan-fest-celebrates-diversity/.