Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said the province has allocated PHP 12 million (USD 0.29M) for the celebration that will feature various activities affirming the province’s realization of its goals.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — The provincial government is all set for the commemoration of Cotabato’s 98th founding anniversary and the celebration of this year’s Kalivungan Festival.
Kalivungan or “gathering” in Manobo connotes festivity.
A week-long celebration is set, opening on August 24. It will highlight the province’s rich and diverse culture featuring the ethnic and tribal games, dances, songs, sports activities and a trade exhibit dubbed, “Market-Market sa Kapitolyo.”
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad will grace the festival’s opening ceremony.
Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said the province has allocated PHP 12 million (USD 0.29M) for the celebration that will feature various activities affirming the province’s realization of its goals.
The local government implements its programs and projects via the Serbisyong Totoo (Genuine Service).
Lined up for this year’s activities are the various sports events, including the Sepa sa Manggis, a sports event of the Moro people, on August 20; the Lumba sa Salbabida or water tubing race on August 26; and the Lumba sa Pulangi, a boat race, on August 31.
Local beauties will also vie in the pageant, Search for the Mutya ng Kalivungan. The talent show is on August 20 in Makilala town and coronation is on August 26 in Midsayap town.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the three-day Kavurunan Festival on August 25 in Antipas town.
“Kavurunan also means gathering, just like Kalivungan,” said Timuay Lito Palma, chairperson of the Cotabato Council of Elders.
He added, the 10 tribes in the province will participate in the festival. Activities are lined up such as the tribal forum, rituals, presentation of dances and songs, tribal games and the search for the Mutya ng Kavurunan.
“Mao ni ang panahon nga magkahimamat ang mga tribu, ilabina ang mga lideres, aron mahisgutan ang mga nag-unang suliran sa ilang katilingban, mapangitaan og solusyon ang maong mga suliran ug magkatigum ug magsaulug” (This is the time when tribes meet, especially the leaders, to discuss pressing issues in their communities and to find solutions to solve these; also to gather and celebrate),” Palma added.
The province of Cotabato was nominated at the national award for excellence in local governance last year. It’s also the regional champion of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.
On September 1, 1947, Cotabato was created a province. It was considered as the biggest province in the country then, comprising the territories of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
In 1966, South Cotabato was separated from the old province. And in 1973, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat were formed as separate provinces.
Through Batas Pambansa 660 on December 19, 1983, the province was renamed Cotabato from its former name, North Cotabato. (Alex D. Lopez, davaotoday.com)
