Garbed in traditional Igorot attire, a wanes (G-string) with a bedbed in his head
and a native blanket wrapped around his body and holding a spear which symbolizes
power and strength was how Governor Maximo B. Dalog appeared during the Lang-ay
Festival Interlude and street dancing parade on April 4 and 7, 2006.
This was the first time that he appeared in public in full Igorot regalia. During the first Lang-ay festival he was not an imposing figure unlike this year as he strutted along the streets during the civic and street .dancing parade. As he waved to the mammoth crowd, he exuded the aura of a leader who is perceived to be confident and proud of a legacy he has caused created and institutionalized.
Governor Dalog may have indeed injected himself into the memorial halls of the provincial seat of government. He will be remembered by his constituents as the man behind the Lang-ay Festival; not for the sake of holding it but for the goals and objectives the now becoming famous watched-out event every year would like to attain.
This was the first time that he appeared in public in full Igorot regalia. During the first Lang-ay festival he was not an imposing figure unlike this year as he strutted along the streets during the civic and street .dancing parade. As he waved to the mammoth crowd, he exuded the aura of a leader who is perceived to be confident and proud of a legacy he has caused created and institutionalized.
Governor Dalog may have indeed injected himself into the memorial halls of the provincial seat of government. He will be remembered by his constituents as the man behind the Lang-ay Festival; not for the sake of holding it but for the goals and objectives the now becoming famous watched-out event every year would like to attain.
Known to be an exact and persistent person, Governor Dalog indeed ably stirred the making of the event clearly focused on the objectives. More than generating tourism impact and value with the coming of the more tourists, his main aim was to gather his constituents to share happiness and joys in a day or two of merrymaking and sharing the indigenous foods and home-brewed wines.
For one who relatively rose from obscurity and poverty to power and fame, Governor Dalog has the personal character of diligence and persistence; an epitome of a strong-willed and insightful leader whose sense of purpose is to promote the welfare of the communities and his constituents.
Sensing the deliberate migration of the people to other provinces and elsewhere in the world by the desire to search for "greener pastures", there has to be, in his wise admonition, an occasion and reason when those who migrated will have to revisit their places of origin.
As loving and caring father, he aims to gather his children to witness the unfolding showcase of a rich cultural heritage that it may be preserved into posterity. Along this line, this year's Lang-ay theme is based: "It only in looking back in time do we prosper towards tomorrow".
It was also his wish that whoever sits in the pinnacle of provincial leadership in the future, may he not disregard the noble endeavor; to perpetuate the modest gains and aspirations that Lang-ay expounds.
As every pet project needs funding, Governor Dalog saw to it that the provincial coffers should not be burdened. Having corporate acumen, he enticed business companies and corporations to sponsor the activities. And with these big businesses as sponsors, major spending of the public funds were barred albeit only what is duly appropriated.
With hands-on governance, the governor saw that the details have been weaved into perfection. But perfect it was not as there are holes to be patched, improvements to be made. However, the Lang-ay Festival was acclaimed a resounding success. The second Lang-ay was better and the succeeding ones will surely become better and better.
Thanks to a man who has so much vision for his people and province!