Bigger, better festivals seen in Lanao Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – A two-day workshop dubbed as ‘4th Northern Mindanao Festival Management’ was held here to help further improve the existing festivals of the province.

Provincial Tourism Officer Minda Regis said the training will provide the participants with new and creative ideas on dance choreography, formation, festival costumes, props, choice of music and style.

The workshop was conducted on September 6 and 7 at the Macapagal Training Center in Pigcarangan here.

The anticipated workshop was organized by the Provincial Tourism Office and funded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region X.

At least 39 participants composed of teachers, choreographers, town council members and barangay captains attended the training.

The DOT initiative is aimed at assisting the different municipalities in Lanao del Norte in enhancing their local festivals with the ultimate goal of increasing tourist arrivals and strengthening local tourism industry.

DOT-X Marketing and Promotions Specialist Decius Esmedalla said the workshop also supports the latest advertising campaign of the Department of Tourism, which is “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” by helping make the region’s festivals more colorful and lively.

The second and third festival management workshop was held at Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental, respectively.

Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo urged the participants to actively promote the province to help erase the negative publicity in the previous years.

“Bad publicity can only be neutralized by good publicity. So we need to see exciting festivals and colorful celebrations in all our municipalities,” Dimaporo said. (PR)