By Bonita Ermac
OZAMIZ CITY -- In time for the 70th charter day of this city and the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Immaculada Concepcion Y del Triunfo de la Cruz de Migpangi, the Subanen culture was highlighted here with a festival held at the City Hall grounds last July 15.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Ozamiz City, Misasmis Occidental (photo from Pintakasi - Blogger)
"Subayan Keg Subanen literally means inviting you to come to our culture. Punta kayo dito sa kultura ng Subanen," City Tourism Officer Jaime Tomada said in explaining the theme of the event.
He said Subanen is a tribe in Misamis Occidental, which had originally lived in this city but were driven away be progress and modernization.
"They really lived in the city before. Sila iyong first aborigines namin sa Misamis Occidental," said Tomada.
Subanen comes from the original word "suba" which means river. As such, the tribe resides on the banks of the river, and they are shy and timid people according to Tomada.
He said the Subayan Keg Subanen festival was presented in a manner that stuck to the tribe's original traditions.
"iyong totoo talagang kultura nila," Tomada pointed out.
As such, the Subanen's practices and rituals were highlighted, including that of the healing of the sick, courtship, wedding, baptism, hunting, planting and harvesting.
The city tourism officer underscored that the festival was not just for entertainment, but was meant to educate the people of Ozamiz about the culture of the Subanen.
Two years ago, the city council here approved an ordinance that will include the Subanen in the local schools' curriculum to preserve the culture of this city, Tomada said.
Twelve schools joined this year's festival with the top five finishers receiving cash awards ranging from P100,000 to P20,000.
Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trade topped this year's festival presentation with a rendition of the Subaren healing ritual. Its representative was also adjudged Festival Queen.
Kalabayan National High school, Ozamiz City National High School, Misamis Institute of Technology and Carmen Annex Integrated National High School finished second to fifth place, respectively.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Ozamiz City, Misasmis Occidental (photo from Pintakasi - Blogger)
"Subayan Keg Subanen literally means inviting you to come to our culture. Punta kayo dito sa kultura ng Subanen," City Tourism Officer Jaime Tomada said in explaining the theme of the event.
He said Subanen is a tribe in Misamis Occidental, which had originally lived in this city but were driven away be progress and modernization.
"They really lived in the city before. Sila iyong first aborigines namin sa Misamis Occidental," said Tomada.
Subanen comes from the original word "suba" which means river. As such, the tribe resides on the banks of the river, and they are shy and timid people according to Tomada.
He said the Subayan Keg Subanen festival was presented in a manner that stuck to the tribe's original traditions.
"iyong totoo talagang kultura nila," Tomada pointed out.
As such, the Subanen's practices and rituals were highlighted, including that of the healing of the sick, courtship, wedding, baptism, hunting, planting and harvesting.
The city tourism officer underscored that the festival was not just for entertainment, but was meant to educate the people of Ozamiz about the culture of the Subanen.
Two years ago, the city council here approved an ordinance that will include the Subanen in the local schools' curriculum to preserve the culture of this city, Tomada said.
Twelve schools joined this year's festival with the top five finishers receiving cash awards ranging from P100,000 to P20,000.
Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trade topped this year's festival presentation with a rendition of the Subaren healing ritual. Its representative was also adjudged Festival Queen.
Kalabayan National High school, Ozamiz City National High School, Misamis Institute of Technology and Carmen Annex Integrated National High School finished second to fifth place, respectively.