THOUSANDS of visitors and spectators witnessed the formal opening celebration of the Kalivungan Festival held on Thursday at the North Cotabato Provincial Capitol.
It also marks the 102nd Founding anniversary of the province.
North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said the festival is a yearly celebration in the province, which highlights the ethnicity of the group of people, and their indigenous crafts and agricultural potentials in the province.
It will be a weeklong celebration this time filled with cultural, sports, dance and musical events.
The term “kalivungan” means thanksgiving gathering, or convergence of the tribes to resolve community concerns, or as communal celebration of good harvest and peace in the community.
Native products from the 17 towns and one city under the North Cotabato province will also be showcased.
Mendoza said this year’s theme is focused on the preservation of the cultures and traditions of their local communities.
“Our inspiration for celebrating this event is our very own province. This celebration is part of every Cotabateños life whatever ethnicity or group of people one belongs,” Mendoza said.
Dubbed as "Cotabato Mahal Ko! Sama-Sama sa Hamon ng Panahon at Bagong Pag-asa," Mendoza said they prepared lined-up more events and activities that connects and strengthens the bond among Christians, Moro and Lumads.
Mendoza encouraged all the sectors to be part of the celebration and witness the people of the province lives in unity in spite of diversity of people, especially in 2017, as she plans to set up a budget per municipalities to join the festival. (ICT)