With the theme “Cotabato Mahal Ko! Sama-Sama sa hamon ng Panahon at Bagong Pag-asa”, Cotabateños will again showcase its diverse cultures, traditions and way of life through the Kalivungan Festival or the gathering of people.
As one of the grandest festival in the region, Kalivungan Festival is a weeklong celebration filled with cultural, sports, dance and musical events along with the exciting display of native products from the province’s 17 towns and lone city of Kidapawan.
Knowing the significance of the occasion to every Cotabateño, Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza urges all sectors to be part of the celebration and attest that the people of the province lives in unity in spite of diversity of people.
“This celebration is part of every Cotabateño’s life whatever ethnicity or group of people he belongs. Let us show to the people once more that we are peace-loving individuals, we are thankful of our abundance and that we continue to grow and develop”, said Gov Taliño-Mendoza.
The governor also stressed that the provincial government has once more prepared line up of events and activities that connects and strengthens the bond among the Christians, Moro and the Indigenous Peoples or Lumads adding that the this year’s theme is a manifestation of the peoples’ harmony and common vision of hope.
There are 20 significant activities inside the Provincial Capitol and at least 8 equally important farm-out events in this year’s Kalivungan Festival, according to Josephine M. Abellana, Head of the Public Affairs Assistance Tourism Sports and Development Division (PAATSDD).
The lined up events inside the Provincial Capitol are the following: Governor’s Cup 2016 Lawn Tennis Tournament (Jul 2- Aug 29); 4th Gov Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza Inter-Agency Sports Tournament (Jul 22-Sep 1); 4th Gov Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza Inter-Collegiate Sports Tournament (Jul 22-Sep 1); 3rd Gov Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza Open Invitational Karatedo Tournament and Upgrading Seminar (Aug 25-28); 7th Gov Lala Taliño-Mendoza Cup 2016 (Level III Shootfest) (Aug 25-28); 2016 Mindanao Age Group Taekwondo Championship (Aug 27); 6th Gov Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza Mindanao Open Chess Tournament (Aug 27-29); Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Provincial Pavilion (The Basket) (Aug 28); Market-Market sa Kapitolyo – Cotabato Agro-Fair (Aug 28-Sep 1); Tabuan: Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Special (Aug 28-Sep1); Seminar on Food Safety (Aug 29); SME Roving Academy (Aug 31); Coop Exhibit (Aug 28-Sep 1); Coop Officers’ Forum (Aug 29); Musical Street Parade-Marching Band Competition (Aug 28); Awards Day (Aug 29); Larong Pinoy (Aug 29); Kavurunan (Aug 29-30); Employees Night (Aug 30); Kalivungan Street Dancing and Showdown (Sep 1) and Kumbira sa Kapitolyo (Sep 1).
On the other hand, the farm out events include the Project Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile (BOSS) at the University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan (Aug 17-20); Kalivungan 2016 Inter-Agency and Open Invitational Bowling Tournament in Kidapawan City (Aug 26-28); Search for Mutya ng North Cotabato – Talent Presentation at the Alamada Mun Gym (Aug 21); search for Mutya ng North Cotabato Pageant Night at the Tulunan Mun Gym (Aug 28); 5th Gov Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza “TrektoUKPeak” Open Mountain Bike Challenge in Aleosan (Aug 28); 6th Gov Lala Taliño-Mendoza Banca race “Lumba sa Pulangi” in Carmen (Aug 29); Kapagana Festival in Pikit (Aug 29-30); Kasadya sa Timpupo Guinness World Record Attempt Largest Cha-Cha in Kidapawan City (Aug 30);
The festival will also highlight the national awards and citations bestowed to the Provincial Government of Cotabato this year for its exemplary performance in leadership and governance, economic development, sustainable agriculture and livelihood, among others.
The Provincial Capitol also anticipates the presence of some prominent national government officials and other individuals to grace the festivity on Sep 1 and to join Cotabateños in celebrating the 102nd founding anniversary of the province.
Meanwhile, coordination meetings have been going on in order to strengthen security, communication and cooperation among stakeholders including the different departments of the capitol and national government line agencies and offices such as DepEd, DILG, DTI, PNP and Phil Army.
The PAATSDD now also sets the mood for Kalivungan Festival by putting colorful flags and other decorations at the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol. (JIMMY STA. CRUZ-Cot PGO Media Center)