So you are up in the Cordillera, maybe enjoying some strawberries in La Trinidad or just trying to survive the fog without falling into a ditch, and someone tells you it’s Benguet Foundation Day. You smile, nod, and wonder quietly what exactly is being celebrated and why there are suddenly tarpaulins everywhere.
Let’s clear it up.
Benguet Foundation Day usually falls in November, with activities often spread across the month, but the big date is November 23. That is when Benguet officially became a province, way back in 1900. Yes, that was during the American period, and yes, a lot of the structure came from colonial bureaucracy, but over time, the people of Benguet made it their own.
Now, Benguet is not the type to throw a citywide party just for the fun of it. However, when Foundation Day arrives, the province does make time to celebrate in its unique way. There is usually an official program held in La Trinidad, the capital. You will see provincial officials in full barong or traditional attire, sometimes accompanied by Igorot dances to open the event. Then come the speeches, the recognitions, and possibly a student choir that has been practising for weeks.
If you are lucky, there might be a trade fair featuring coffee from Atok, fresh vegetables from Buguias, woven products from Mankayan, and the usual homemade peanut brittle that somehow disappears by the second day. People do not just come for the ceremonies. They come to support neighbours, buy local, and maybe catch a performance or two without needing to dress up.
Foundation Day also serves as a gentle reminder of Benguet’s identity. It is a province composed of many towns, most of which are situated high in the mountains, where people still know their neighbours and where farming is not just a livelihood but something passed down like a family recipe. The celebration does not need loud music or fireworks. It works with gongs, woven cloth, and a steady sense of pride that has been building quietly for over a hundred years.
[Photo by J.M. Rosario]
