NORTH Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza led the opening of the Kalivungan Festival 2025 on Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, at the Provincial Capitol, in Amas, Kidapawan City.
The province celebrates its 111th founding anniversary with a week-long festivities of colors and abundance.
The celebration kicked off with the Kalivungan Festival Drum and Lyre Corps Competition where the Municipality of Carmen emerged as champion and was awarded Best in Musicality and Best Majorette.
It was followed by Aleosan as 2nd place and Magpet (3rd). Libongan placed 4th, while Makilala was hailed 5th, Pigcawayan was 6th and Midsayap was 7th.
A Thanksgiving Mass was done at The Basket, Capitol Compound, attended by local government officials and visitors from various municipalities.
“To celebrate, continue to be proud as one province, continue to pray for one another for blessing and guidance and continue to respect and care for one another. Happy Kalivungan,” the governor said in her speech after the mass.
Mendoza shared that the celebration is the time to honor history, culture and unity as one people.
“Let us celebrate as one family maglipay-lipay kita nagkahiusa kita as we showcase the spirit as one Cotabateño, “ she added.
In his message, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged the province to embrace innovation to strengthen industries for Cotabato to continue to prosper.
The DA recently turned over a P35.99 million mango processing facility in Midsayap to cater to empower mango producers.
Under the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project, a 6.11 kilometer farm to market road from Barangay Manobisa to Sitio Mabato and Sitio Timodos in Magpet recently broke ground.
The P107.5 million project will improve mobility, and market access for farmers and indigenous communities.
During the festival, the Yaman ng Cotabato: Travel and Trade Expo (Agriculture, Tourism, MSME & Cooperative) also opened to the public.
Kalivungan Festival is coined from the Manuvu word “Kalivungan” which means “Gathering” or “Festival”.
In Kidapawan City, the capital of Cotabato, the first Kalivungan Festival was held on May 8, 1974.
