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Monday, July 31, 2006
Beauty and pageantry in Gingoog City
BEAUTY is not spouseless in meaning in my brief, albeit wonderful interlude in Gingoog -- that once sleepy town east of Cagayan de Oro City.
Gingoog translates beauty through the pomp and gaiety of its Kaliga Festival, the allure of its indigenous beauties and the cascading falls on its rolling hills. With these gifts of nature and the rich cultural heritage it offers, Gingoog pulled all stops to draw droves of visitors to their 46th Charter Day this month. I, together with local journalists Terry Betonio, Uriel Quilinging and Butch Enerio, did not miss the fun and the sights.
Kaliga Festival, an annual street pageantry elaborately depicting scenes from aboriginal cultures, is one of the gala's main highlights.
Some of the city's hinterland villages are home to the Higaonon tribe, and Kaliga is a fitting rendezvous to showcase a proud heritage so animatedly presented through impressive parades of rich costumes and native dances.
The festival traditionally starts at dawn with a Higaonon ritual, then followed with an array of street dances. While there are different contingents to portray the idiosyncrasies of native cultures, Higaonons, too participate in the performances and in most cases, outshine the imitators. One can observe and appreciate the breadth of participation Kaliga organizers give to natives (who are, by way, the orginals), unlike in other indigenous-based festivals which saw natives most often overlooked and even ostracized.
At night, another pageant, the one showcasing local beauties, is in the works. The Mr. & Ms. Gingoog Tourism 2006 provides a venue in which young talents capitalize their wits and glamour to spotlight the city's enormous tourism potentials.
Tourism -- that is where Gingoog trains it eyes for the moment, said Mayor Ruthie de Lara-Guingona. Alongside friendly, welcoming locals, Gingoog is also blessed with a pack of tourist spots comparable to prime tourist destinations in the country. Guingona recognizes that developing infrastructure support to boost the tourism sector and improving the city's image are equally important.
No wonder why the ladies and gentlemen of the pageant had to dig into the cerebrum when made to choose one of the three tangible things about Gingoog: Vacation City, City of Waterfalls and City of Good luck.
"I would say Vacation City because Gingoog is a place apt for those who need rest and those who seek peace of mind. With its unmatched serenity, tranquil ambiance and fresh, green environment, it is truly a Vacation City no less," declares Abegail Babanto, earning her the Ms. Tourism crown.
Abegail says her parents are from Camiguin but that they fell in love with Gingoog and chose to stay to raise their children here.
And rightly so, says Guingona, herself the doyenne of Gingoog beauty, having been crowned Miss Gingoog during her youth. The city is home to amazing mountain vacation spots, its rolling hills bedecked with around 29 waterfalls, its rivers unspoiled by time.
With collaborations from all sectors, DOT-10 chief Catalino Chan III projects Gingoog to be one of Northern Mindanao's tourism in a matter of time.
"We're here and our city is lethargic no more," says the vibrant, optimistic lady hizzoner.
(July 31, 2006 issue)
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