REVILLA, NEW SON OF MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Senator Bong Revilla was conferred as an adopted son of Mountain Province in a simple ceremony held on Monday (April 7) during the celebration of the culturally-rich Lang-ay Festival.

Revilla was collectively embraced by the people of Mountain Province with his ethnic name "Oddagan", which means "an idol." For the highlanders of the north, Oddagan is a dependable community leader and an artist who knows how to lead the "Begnas"- a harvest thanksgiving festivity in the western part of the said province.

The lawmaker was granted the surprise native adoption in front of an overwhelming crowd, composed of locals and foreign tourists, during the Lang-ay Festival at the Eyeb Open Gym in Bontoc. The Lang-ay Festival is the annual cultural event commemorating the charter anniversary of the province.

In respect of his tribal name, the senator was given indigenous gears which he delightfully tried on and promised to treasure as proof of his commitment and token of gratitude to the people of Mountain Province .

"In honor and recognition of your name "Oddagan," we offer you these Mountain Province gears to sustain you in your pursuit as a legislator and an artist as well," said Mountain Province Governor Maximo Dalog.

The Mountain gears include the pinagpagan or the blanket symbolizing authority, spear for excellence, shield for protection and head gear for wisdom. Revilla proudly tried on the gears.

In his speech, the senator thanked the people of the Mountain Province for the support he had been receiving from them as an artist and a public official. In return, he vowed to continue to guard against corruption in government. "Patuloy din po tayong nagbabantay laban sa katiwalian sa pamahalaan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkilatis sa mga kontrata at pag-inspeksiyon sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno ay napipigilan natin ito. Masugid po natin itong nilalabanan dahil ito ay anay na pumipigil sa ating kaunlaran, "he said.

Revilla also reminded the audience about the true spirit of the Lang-ay Festival. The lawmaker pointed out that the word "Lang-ay" means oneness which he said should be also practice beyond the festival celebration. "Remember, Nasa pagkakaisa ang susi ng tunay na tagumpay. Tama na muna ang bangayan. Paghilumin na natin ang mga sugat ng nakaraan. Lagi nating tandaan na nakasalalay sa pagkakaisa ang pagsulong ng ating bansa at mga mamamayan, "he added.

He also called on the people of Mountain Province to value their benefits from the multi- billion peso Halsema Highway through community participation on its maintenance.

Revilla stressed that the rehabilitation of the 85- kilometer highway will shorten travel time and this will benefit the people of Mountain Province in terms of delivery of goods and tourism.