North Cotabato Festival All Set For Kalivungan Fest - August 26

It’s all system’s go for North Cotabato’s Kalivungan Festival on August 26 to September 1.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza said she is assured that the festivities will be successful considering the level of cooperation being shown by various organizations, municipal and barangay government units, business sectors, national line agencies and many other sectors.

“Everybody is now enthusiastically setting up preparations to welcome guests and tourists,” Gov. Mendoza said.

The organizers of this year’s foundation anniversary are expecting huge number of Cotabatenos to flock activities of the week-long 97th Foundation Anniversary celebrations.

Joey E. Recimilla, over-all in-charge of events said: “This year’s festival is the biggest and the grandest event because this is the first time that the province will showcase 38 spectacular events that will surely entertain our visitors and spectators.”

This year’s activities will still be highlighted by the “Kalivungan” street dancing competition which carries a prize of Php150,000.00 for the champion.

The winner will represent the province in the “Sinulog” festival of Cebu City in January next year.

Other activities that are sure to draw crowds include: Lumba sa Pulangi (August 31); Himig, Sayaw at Musikahan (August 31); Kumbira sa Kapitolyo (September 1).

Inter-LGU and SK Sports Olympics (August 25-27); Extreme team trail run (August 26); Market-Martket sa Kapitolyo (August 26-Sept. 1); Musical Street Parade (August 26); 2nd Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Cup (August 6).

Mutya ng Cotabato (August 26); Mindanao Open Chess Tournament (August 27-31); 1st Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Mountain Bike Challenge (August 27-28); Ultimate Frisbee Tournament-August 27-28; 1st Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Airsoft Tournament (August 27-28).

1st Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Table Tennis Cup (August 27-28); 1st Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Open Dart Cup (August 27-28); Gov’s Cup 2011 Tennis Tournament (August 27-28); 1st Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza’s Open Bowlng Tournament (August 27-30).

Paramotor Gliding Show (August 28,30 and Sep. 1); Inter-Collegiate Cheer Dance Competition (August 28); Batang Cotabato Boxing Championship (August 28-30); Motocross Competition (August 29); Sepa sa Mangis (August 30); Lumba sa Salbabida (August 30); and Luma sa Pulangi (August 31).

Recently, the North Cotabato’s provincial board passed a resolution reverting to the original festival name, “Kalivungan” a Manuvu term for “festive gathering” from “Hinugyaw.”

This,the board said is to give credence to the original lumad settlers in the area. (PIA 12/Dani Doguiles)