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Yes, Tawi-Tawi can!
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: DATU AYUNAN
Date: 2009-10-10
 
It was at the southernmost tip of the country where both culture and diversity recently met in one spectacular event—the 36th Kamahardikaan Festival in Tawi-Tawi City. The annual event which has become a major tourist attraction showcased a staple of unique and individual tradition unique to Mindanao.

“Kamahardikaan means freedom and through the festival we aim to magnify the freedom that is being deeply felt in the province of Tawi-Tawi – our peace-loving people enjoying our abundant marine and coastal resources and their taking the lead in the protection of our environment,” says Governor Sadikul Sahali.

Touted as the seaweeds capital of the Philippines and currently being developed as a premier commerce and tourism haven, the province also celebrated the Agal-Agal (seaweeeds) Festival wherein all 11 municipalities of Tawi-Tawi – Bongao, Mapun, Tandubas, Languyan, Simunul, Panglima Sugala, Turtle Island, Sibutu, South Ubian, Sapa-Sapa, Sitangkai participated in a showdown of dances and cultural exhibitions.

What made the festivities unique was the inclusion of seaweeds as materials for costumes and props. Agal-Agal seedlings were displayed while food products made with seaweeds like leche flan were a hit. Add to this a Knotting contest that used agal-agal as props highlighting the prominence of seaweeds as a major source of livelihood in the province.

“The Agal-Agal Festival not only helps people come up with their own livelihood opprtunities but also ensures that our own people will have more to look forward to in the near future. This advocates and intensifies our natural resources,” says Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan.

A fluvial parade that showcased an array of watercrafts designed to reveal the rich culture of the people of Tawi-Tawi started at the Lomboy dock all the way to the Bongao light house, the TAWELCO powerplant (Tawi-Tawi Electric Corporation) and then back to the dock. Five of the municipalities that participated spruced up their fishing boats known as palakaya with vibrant colors and design while the boatmen donned local Muslim garments which were originally adapted from neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sports also played a pivotal role in the festivities—motocross racing, basketball and volleyball where participants from Dipolog, Cebu, Zamboanga, Davao, Bukidnon, Ozamis and even Metro Manila jousted in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The 9th Gov. Hji. Sadikul A. Sahali Practical Gunshooting Competition led by Panglima Sugala Mayor Norbert Sahali and executive director Nurjay Sahali was also held to drum up awareness on the proper use of gun.

Other activities during the festival were the cultural extravaganza, a Seaweed Techno Forum, a State of the Province Address where Governor Sadikul Sahali reported on the province’s progress to his constituents, the Municipal Night and the Budjang Sin Taw-Tawi, a local beauty contest. The celebration’s highlights were the grand parade and awards night wherein the municipality Panglima Sugala emerged as overall champion.

“We were well prepared and organized and we even practiced at night during the Ramadan,” saids Panglima Sugala Mayor Nurbert Suhali. “We even got players outside Tawi-Tawi and a number of agencies contributed their time and effort and these are the reasons why I believe made us win.” Incidentally, the municipality of Panglima Sugala will mark its 50th anniversary on December 15-20, 2009.

This year’s theme—“Yes, Tawi-Tawi Can! Sailing fast as the Philippines’ new frontier for tourism, biodiversity conservation and environmental management” has gained for the province of Tawi-Tawi the prominence of being the destination to beat for a unique cultural experience and vast and unspoilt natural resources.


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