Kapangan Staged 2nd Anitap Festival
Lunch are served in banana trunk plates. Photo and story by: Carl C. Taawan Kapangan, Benguet has recently concluded its second Anitap Festival on March 17, 2009. The community activity was attended by the 15 different barangays of the municipality. Councilor Bentres, the tourism officer of the municipality explained that “the Anitap tree is the source of the indigenous musical instrument called the “tallak” which is used in the performance of the Tallak dance.” Anitap, scientifically known as Macaranga Cumingii, is abundant in Kapangan. Bentres said that “Tallak was not only used by the people of Kapangan but the whole of Benguet in celebrating the canao long before the coming of the metal gongs.” “The municipality decided to name its cultural celebration in recognition of this old age plant that has been part of the heritage of the people of Kapangan and of Benguet” said Bentres. Mayor Canuto thanked the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) as the “major contributor in br...