n the recent TARIPNONG (press conference) hosted by the Public Affairs and Information Assistance Division (PAIAD), PTCO Chief Marichelle O. Costales, Director General of the Grand Ammungan Festival 2025, along with Provincial Treasure Rhoda S. Moreno, ADG for Events, and Provincial Budget Officer Virginia Iglesias, ADG for Finance, announced and laid out the upcoming events and innovations for the upcoming Grand Ammungan Festival, scheduled for May 22-24, 2025.
The standout innovation for this year’s celebration is the first-ever Nueva Vizcaya Coffee Festival: Kape, Art Iba Pa, showcasing the ‘province’s burgeoning coffee culture’. According to Director General Costales, the province’s nascent coffee industry is ‘rising and booming’, with farmers from Ambaguio, Kasibu, Alfonso Castaneda, Kayapa, and Sta. Fe called forth for the festival. Alongside this innovation is the fourth installment of the Nueva Vizcaya Travel and Tourism Expo, dubbed the ‘Nueva VEATSCAYA Food Fiesta’, wherein the culinary offerings of each municipality will be highlighted. Attendees of both the Expo and the Coffee Festival are encouraged to join in the contests of the latter event, namely the Latte Art and Brewing competitions, and to vote on the municipality with the best culinary booth in the former event to gain them a People’s Choice award.
In an earlier innovation months in the making, the recently revived weaving communities within Nueva Vizcaya will be featured in this year’s festival, with not only the Mun-Abol weavers of Capisaan, Kasibu front and center, but with the artisans from Brgy. Runruno in Quezon, and weavers from Bagabag and Sta. Fe. An earlier preparatory exploration saw fifteen fashion designers from each municipality in Nueva Vizcaya tour the Mun-Abol weavers workshop as part of a collaborative effort for the Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya pageant; these unique textiles and patterns will then be incorporated into the ensembles of the Saniata candidates. The weaving traditions of Nueva Vizcaya will thus be shown in the ‘Habi Vizcaya Weaving Exhibit and Mini Trade Fair’.
The aforementioned Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya is also one of the most highly-anticipated events of the festival, being one of the province-wide competitions alongside the Bailes y Canciones. The sashing ceremony and fashion show will take place on May 2, 2025, in the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center, with the swimsuit portion and casual and panel interview to follow on May 7. The Bailes y Canciones socio-cultural festival will be held on May 22, 2025, and is a chance for higher education institutions to showcase their talents in chorale and creative streetdance. Following that will be the Saniata grand coronation night.
Director General Costales expressed the desire for the GAF to ‘expand and generate income’ from and toward the communities participating in the celebrations, especially with the considerable revenue earned from last year’s festival. “The contribution of the GAF to the economy and tourism industry of our province is crucial.” Beyond these events, the celebration will also see the inauguration of the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center, the reopening of the People’s Museum after its extensive rehabilitation, and the inauguration of the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park facilities.
As Nueva Vizcaya moves toward a new chapter, its biggest celebration is sure to welcome new ideas and innovations not just to serve the community, but to entertain Novo Vizcayanos and tourists alike, and glory in its rich cultures and traditions. The Grand Ammungan Festival is set to be the biggest and most innovative celebration of the province yet. /igmb
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Vizcaya Reporter. For PLGU-Nueva Vizcaya updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
