Eight festivals representing the Cordillera Region’s six provinces and two cities will converge here on Oct. 16-17 for the Department of Tourism’s Festival of Festivals, giving visitors a closer look at the region’s diverse cultures and traditions.

The event will feature Abra’s Kawayan Festival, Apayao’s Say-Am Festival, Benguet’s Bindiyan Festival, Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival, Ifugao’s Gotad-ad Ifugao, Mountain Province’s Lang-ay Festival, Pasil, Kalinga’s Tachok-Salip Festival, and Tabuk City’s Gabbok Festival.

“This has grown to an event of national interest where, beyond entertainment, we tell the world who we are from the movements, chants, songs and dances that Cordillera festivals show,” Department of Tourism – Cordillera Director Jovita Ganongan said during a Kapihan forum on Wednesday.

Ganongan said bringing the festivals together will allow visitors to experience the region’s cultural diversity in one venue and encourage them to visit the communities where the traditions originate.

“This is a very exciting event because all will be in Baguio. Each has its own story, tradition, and celebration coming together with one identity, which is the Cordillera,” she said.

Ganongan, a native of Tabuk City, said the event also aims to help audiences understand the meaning behind each cultural presentation.

“We hope they understand the meaning of the presentation of each provincial and city representative because we are sharing our identity to the world,” she said.

The festivals highlight distinct traditions across the region.

Abra’s Kawayan Festival celebrates bamboo and the resilience of the Abreño people while bringing together lowland Ilocano and upland Tinguian traditions.

Baguio’s Panagbenga showcases the city’s identity through flowers, performances, and community celebrations.

Tabuk’s Gabbok Festival centers on thanksgiving for the birth of a first child, featuring prayers, chants, offerings, and traditional dances that reflect Kalinga’s reverence for family and community.

Mountain Province’s Lang-ay Festival draws from the ancestral Manerwap rain-calling ritual and celebrates the community’s connection to the land and rice-growing traditions.

Pasil’s Tachok-Salip Festival features Kalinga dances, gongs, chants, and indigenous attire as expressions of community identity and heritage.

Benguet’s Bindiyan Festival showcases Ibaloi traditions through gangsa music, dance, indigenous regalia, and thanksgiving rituals.

Ifugao’s Gotad-ad Ifugao celebrates the province’s living traditions, ancestral customs and connection to its land and history.

Apayao’s Say-Am Festival brings the y-Apayao together through thanksgiving, traditional rituals, music, dance, and community gatherings that highlight peace and unity.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Executive Order 155-2026 declaring the dates of the celebration and setting guidelines for its conduct, including preparations for road closures, traffic management, security, and public safety.

The event is expected to attract government officials, tourism organizations, media, influencers, visitors, and other participants from across the country. (PNA)