THE CITY government of Mati announced on Thursday, Oct. 15, that this year’s Sambuokan Festival 2025 is canceled as the local government continues to be under a state of calamity following the recent earthquakes on Oct. 10.
“This decision was made after Mayor Joel Mayo Almario consulted the people of Mati, where most agreed that it is best to cancel the celebration and focus on recovery and rehabilitation efforts,” the city government said on its Facebook page.
Almario posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, asking people’s position on whether to proceed with the celebration until its culmination on October 29.
“Bibo jud unta pero isip usa ka amahan, gi consider nako ang safety PARA SA TANAN – mga bata, ginikanan, tibuok pamilya ug katawhan kay daghan pa ang nalisang sa linog (It would have been festive but as the father, I considered everyone’s safety, the children, parents, and entire families, and the public, because many are still anxious due to the earthquake),” Almario added.
This year’s Sambuokan is a week-long celebration featuring a lineup of activities, including a drum and lyre competition, a singing competition, a street dance competition, and more.
With the competitions canceled, the city government thanked the contingents who had prepared for the street dancing competition, and the performing arts groups from outside Davao Region who had expressed their intent to join.
Mati City residents are advised to stay tuned for the Oct. 29 Thanksgiving activity.
The recent Magnitude 7.4 and Magnitude 6.8 tremors in Davao Oriental have left hundreds of families without shelter, where the City of Mati recording the highest number of affected families at 28,048.
