Apayao PLGU finalizes program for 31st Founding Anniversary Celebration

The Provincial Government of Apayao (PGA) has begun finalizing preparations for the 31st Apayao Founding Anniversary, with a series of sports, cultural, and tourism-related activities scheduled throughout February 2026.

The proposed theme for the celebration is “BRyA: yApayaos’ Harmony with Nature, Apayao’s Hub of Treasures,” stressing environmental stewardship, cultural identity, and local heritage.

The celebration will feature multiple activities such as an Inter-Municipality Sports Fest, Battle of the Bands, Agri-Industrial Trade and Tourism Fair, Dayag ken Taer ti Apayao, Hip-hop Competition, Photography Contest, Invitational Trail Run, EKB Bicycle Challenge.

The Sports Fest, scheduled to start on February 13, will include basketball for men and volleyball for women, with participants required to be 15 to 30 years old, residents, and registered voters of their respective municipalities.

The Agri-Industrial Trade and Tourism Fair will run from February 18 to 28, showcasing local products and tourism initiatives, with further details to be finalized by the organizing committee.

The Battle of the Bands will allow a maximum of eight members per band, with at least five members aged 15 to 30 years old. Each band must perform one original composition, one pop song, and one country song, with a maximum performance time of 20 minutes, inclusive of entrance and exit.

The Dayag ken Taer ti Apayao pageant is open to participants aged 18 to 27, who must be residents and registered voters of the municipality they represent. The Hip-hop Competition will allow up to 15 participants per group, with performance duration of five to seven minutes, inclusive of entrance and exit.

The Invitational Trail Run, scheduled on February 21, will be held along the Marag Valley route, covering Marag–Calabigan–Cagandungan–Marag, with two categories and a maximum of 20 participants per category per municipality. Assembly time is set at 4:00 a.m. at the Luna Gym, with participants to be transported to Marag. The EKB Challenge will take place on February 24 at San Gregorio, Luna, covering a three-hectare track.

The Battle of the Bands is set for February 26, followed by the Dayag ken Taer ti Apayao and Hip-hop Competition on February 27. The celebration will culminate on February 28, with a morning culminating activity and an evening concert.

For the anniversary activities, municipal colors have been designated as follows: Santa Marcela – Orange; Calanasan – Pink; Pudtol – Black; Luna – Red; Kabugao – Yellow; Flora – Green; and Conner – Blue.

The Executive Committee is chaired by Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., with Congresswoman Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang as Co-Chairperson and Vice Governor Kyle Mariah Chelsea Bulut-Cunan as Vice-Chairperson. Members include provincial department heads, national line agencies, and municipal mayors.

The Steering Committee is chaired by Vice Governor Bulut-Cunan, with Provincial Administrator Arnold Castillo as Co-Chairperson and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Henry Caluducan as Vice-Chairperson.

Various committees have also been formed to handle program and invitations, sports, trade and tourism fair, cultural events, trail run, EKB challenge, venue preparation, food, traffic, documentation, medical services, and other logistical requirements.

Final schedules, guidelines, and participation mechanics will be released as preparations progress toward the February celebration.