APAYAO-- Unique floats fascinated the viewing public as they were paraded around the thoroughfares of Luna during  the 28th Apayao Foundation Anniversary celebration and the Say- am Festival 2023  this February.

With the theme “Kapaligiran at Kultura’y Pagyamanin para sa Matagumpay na Mithiin,” the floats were conceptualized to promote and align with the overall festival objectives and environmental advocacy and were inspired by the tourism destinations and the best  products  of  their respective municipalities.

 The  parade floats  using  traditional  tractor  or elf truck were decorated with at least   90 percent  natural or indigenous materials and vegetation. Among the materials used  are  the locally produced palay and rice grains, seeds, legumes, corn,bamboo,  grassand  fruits such as bananas and pineapples. 

The municipality of Flora was declared the champion of the float competition winning P100,000.00, followed by Calanasan in second with a cash prize of P80,000.00, and Santa Marcela in third with P60,000.00 cash prize. All the other municipalities  received P50,000.00 each as consolation prize.

The winning float of Flora town showcased the Kabinnulig Festival featuring the remarkable comradeship of the farmer and his best friend and partner, the carabao. The float symbolizes hard work, perseverance and love of every Floranian. It is made out of raw materials that  abound in the municipality such as palay and corn which are the major crops that the farmers grow and cultivate for their subsistence as an agricultural community.

The float also featured  loom weaving   upholding the province's cultural identity amisdst the  modern age.

The  floats of  Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Calanasan and Conner  carried  their  respective  version of the Philippine eagle which  found  habitat in the rich virgin forests of Apayao.

The float of Luna town  featured  a  deer which still is found in  its forested areas.  Kabugao showcased the traditional boat and river system of the locality which until today is being used as a major transportation of the residents.

The float of Pudtol  added the effigy of the late Apayao patriarch Elias K. Bulut Sr., the author of the Republic Act  7878 which separated the province of Apayao from Kalinga.

Provincial Tourism Officer Rebecca Mamba said   floral floats of  Baguio City’s  Panagbenga inspired them to create floats and make it part of the annual Say am festival prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but this year  the LGUS levelled up   with these awesome floats.(JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)