KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Kalivungan Festival opened on Friday, August 25, with over 1,000 guests and spectators in attendance at the North Cotabato Provincial Capitol Ground in Barangay Amas here.
COTABATO Gov. Emmylou 'Lala' Taliño-Mendoza (center) arrives for the opening of the Kalivungan Festival in Kidapawan City on Friday, August 25. (Ivy Tejano)
Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, with other officials, department heads, and employees, opened the Kalivungan Festival, which marks the 109th founding anniversary of the province.
With the theme “Serbisyong Tapat at Makatao, Panalo ang Bawat Cotabateño,” Mendoza said in her speech that being united and sympathetic among different tribes in the province is the key to achieving progress.
Mendoza described the week-long festival as a symbol of a gathering of all the tribes in the province and the unity of every family. It is a festivity of the province's abundance and harmony of everyone despite the differences, she said.
The governor also highlighted the significance of the “Serbisyong Totoo” advocacy, which provides genuine and honest services and implements projects with clear goals to benefit the province's people.
One of the festival's highlights was the province’s agricultural and forestry products. Mendoza and other government officials introduced the “Tiangge ng Yaman ng Cotabato” showcasing various products from North Cotabato.
A DRUM and lyre contingent performs in the Kalivungan Festival in Kidapawan City on Friday, August 25. (Ivy Tejano)
Mendoza expressed profound gratitude for the participation of the local governments, private sector, and other government agencies in their active collaboration to promote all programs and projects of the provincial government effectively.
The opening of the 109th Kalivungan Festival started with a Mass presided over by Cotabato Archbishop Angelito R. Lampon at Saint John Paul II Quasi Parish Church, followed by a drum and lyre corps competition.
Delegates from the towns of Carmen, Libungan, Makilala, Pigcawayan, Midsayap, and Tulunan showcased their skills in dancing and playing instruments while dressed in vibrant and splendid attire.
Pigcawayan emerged victorious, taking home a trophy and P80,000. Tulunan came in second, winning a trophy and P70,000, while Libungan was third with a P60,000 cash prize and a trophy.
The rest received a P20,000 cash prize each for participation.