The entire festival concluded peacefully, with no major untoward incidents reported.
Dancers from seven municipalities in North Cotabato, dressed in vibrant indigenous attire, enthralled the crowd with their graceful movements, dynamic choreography, and storytelling dances that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the province.
Emerging as the grand champion was the Mabungahon M’lang Performing Arts Guild from the Municipality of M’lang, which took home the P1milliontop prize along with three special awards worth P300,000. The Municipality of Aleosan secured first runner-up with P700,000, while Pikit bagged the second runner-up spot and P500,000. The municipalities of Banisilan, Kabacan, Libungan, and Carmen each received P100,000 consolation prizes.
Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza thanked local government officials, stakeholders, and citizens for ensuring the success of this year’s Kalivungan Festival. “You Cotabateños, you are the ones who make our province healthy. I am happy to serve you as your governor because Cotabateños are united, God-fearing, and concerned,” she said.
Special guest Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua reaffirmed BARMM’s strong partnership with the provincial government. “BARMM will always be your partner in peace and development,” he said, expressing optimism that such collaboration will lead to shared progress. “When BARMM rises, so does Cotabato Province.”
He also recognized Cotabato Province’s vital role in supporting BARMM, particularly through the Special Geographic Area (SGA), and emphasized the need to “put people above politics, and service above self,” commending Mendoza’s Serbisyong Totoo program as a model of such leadership.
Joining the festival’s culmination were Vice Governor Rochella Marie “Ella” Taliño Taray, 3rd District Representative Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos, Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party-list Representative Raymond C. Mendoza, municipal mayors, LGU officials, and regional directors from various national line agencies.
Photo: Cotabato Provincial Government
Photo: Cotabato Provincial Government
Personnel from the Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) are on standby to cater to emergencies.