SARANGANI Province’s small municipality of Maitum has come a long way since I last wrote of its humble festival several years ago.
Maitum is derived from the native dialect maitum which means black, that pertains to legendary tales of black stones near one of its four major rivers. One of them, Pangi River, won 2nd runner-up as Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the country in 2003.
This quiet town has grown into a tourist destination for its richly blessed unspoiled marine wealth, lush rainforest and ancient historical finds. With its fertile natural resources, you can enjoy lots of bonding with nature-inspired activities from fast to slow –the exhilarating rush of the 1.5 km River Tubing Adventure of Barangay La Union, to meeting slow turtles in the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary in Old Poblacion.
Maitum holds a remarkable place in Philippine history for uncovering the site of significant archaeological artifacts called Maitum Anthropomorphic Potteries. The "Maitum Jars" are amazing ancient burial pots discovered in the caves which record the existence of pre-historic civilization.
Recently, photographer Rhonson Ng attended the 9th Bangsi Festival on January 27-29, 2016.
Each year, this colorful festival lures many photographers on a safari. It is an annual tribute held every January for fisherfolks who catch the town’s top produce, the popular bangsi -- flying fish deliciously marinated and dried into bulad or daing.
Bangsi is a most sought after pasalubong for visitors and tourists, and has boosted the morale of coastal families who depend on this fish for a living.
The popular festival emphasizes the valuable role of fisherfolks in harmony with the bountiful sea as source of livelihood, and the community’s responsibility to preserve and protect the environment.
Highlights of the festivities were the streetdancing competition, fun run, coastal cleanup, float parade with aquatic dance, women’s dance contest, sand sculpture, bangkarera (lumba bugsay), slowest drag race, trade fair, Munting Mutyang Maitum 2016, Sugbahanay sa Dagat, cooking contest, night parties, motocross competition, and the favorites -- Maitum Photo Safari contest and the Sugba-sugba sa Kadalanan.
Maitum is a 2-hour drive on a paved highway from General Santos City. Award winning photojournalist Rhonson Ng joined the Photo Safari and shares with you the colors of Bangsi Festival.
*****
Jojie Alcantara and Rhonson Ng are both travel photojournalists based in Davao City, each on a personal quest to promote the beautiful islands of Mindanao in the Philippines. Their photos are on covers of travel magazines and coffee table books, and in DOT’s It’s More Fun in the Philippines tourism campaign.