The three-day 16th Ubi Festival showcasing the famous “Ubi Kinampay†and other varieties of Ubi in Bohol will start today at Plaza Rizal, this city.
With the theme, “Industriya sa Ubing Bol-anon Ipadayon, Taliwala sa Hulga sa Nagkausab nga Panahon,â€Â the festival will have the Ubi Cuisine contest tomorrow which will showcase on the best food and dessert using Ubi in their ingredients. The various top resorts and restaurants will participate in the Ubi contest at the Bohol Cultural Center tomorrow.
The three-day festival will kick-off this morning with a motorcade from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Capitol Annex Building, Dao District to Island City Mall (ICM) passing through J.A. Clarin St. to the Bohol Cultural Center for the opening program.
Former energy secretary Jericho Petilla who, himself, is a fan of Ubi will be the keynote speaker during today’s opening program. He will be introduced by Provincial Board Member Abeleon Damalerio, chairman of the committee on agriculture of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Key officials from the national, regional, provincial, and Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) will grace the series of activities during the three-day festival.
As of yesterday, there were already 22 towns that confirmed to display and sell their Ubi and other agricultural products, namely: Corella, Sikatuna, Maribojoc, Cortes, Baclayon, Dauis, Panglao, Albur, Lila, Dimiao, Jagna, Duero, Alicia, Ubay, Talibon, Balilihan, Bilar, Antequera, Carmen, Sevilla, and Mabini and Tagbilaran City.
Gov. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Rene L. Relampagos (1st District), Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (2nd District), Rep. Arthur C. Yap (3rdDistrict), and Director Angel C. Enriquez, regional executive director of Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 will grace the event.
Vice-Governor Concepcion Lim will give her welcome address before Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas could introduce the participants and give the rationale of the activities.
Gov. Chatto with Vice Gov. Lim, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog, Bohol Schools Division Superintendent Wilfreda D. Bongalos, City Schools Superintendent Virginia C. Zapanta will lead the giving of awards to the 2015 winners of Bahay Kubo, Gulayan sa Paaralan contests, the retirees from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and the awarding of checks to the recipients of Agrikultura Kaagapay ng Bayan (AKBAY) Pinoy Program.
Chatto will also administer the oath-taking of the officers of the Regional Organic Agriculture Confederation (ROAC) Bohol Chapter, and the Bohol Gardeners and Lanscapers Association.
The ribbon-cutting and the opening of exhibits on Ubi, Endemic Rootcrops and Sustainable Agriculture Products will be done at the Plaza Rizal right after the program at the Bohol Cultural Center.
To highlight the three-day activities of the 16th Ubi Festival are several contests: Bugno sa Rondalla, Ubi Poster Making, Ubi Kuradang (farmer and student categories), Best Ubi Booth/Ubi Exhibit, Pinaka (the best quality Ubi Harvest), Ubi Rap/Jingle, Ubi Balak (farmer and student categories), and Highest Volume of Ubi Displayed for Sale.
Tomorrow (Thursday) will be the main event which is the Ubi Cuisine contest to be sponsored by the Bohol Association of Hotel and Restaurant (BAHRR). Likewise, the Literary Musical Contests for Balak, Kuradang, Rap and Jingle, and Bugno sa Rondalla will be conducted at Plaza Rizal.
The closing and awarding program will be done on Friday afternoon right after the Technology Updates on Ubi and other Rootcrops which is scheduled at 1 to 3 p.m.  (Atoy Cosap)