A showdown by performers in the Mardi Gras Costume competition and Drums and Lyre presentation at the Provincial Capitol Grounds Oval in Amas, Kidapawan City on a sunny Thursday (Sept. 1) morning entertained the crowd with their stunning performances depicting the province’s culture and arts in their colorful traditional and modern-day costumes.
The performers extraordinarily cheered and danced to celebrate the province's existence for more than 100 years and its strength to brave the many challenges topped by the series of earthquakes and the life- threatening pandemic.
The Kalivungan Festival with the theme "Matatag na Cotabato susulong sa anumang hamon" (Astrong Cotabato to face any challenge) became even more special with the presence of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
In her speech Duterte said this year’s Kalivungan Festival celebration signals North Cotabato is slowlyrecovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today, you have shown that you are driving the road to recovery. And this should not be a lonely road. This should be a collective journey — our journey together — that even when we face challenges and threats, we do not cower, we do not stop and surrender to fear, to disappointments, to energies and forces that injure or break our spirit as a nation. Instead, we go on braver, bolder, and stronger. And we are braver, bolder, and stronger because we have each other,” Duterte said in her speech.
With the unity and radiance displayed by the North Cotabateños, Duterte expressed confidence, the province can surpass stronger challenges ahead.
“I am confident that you will remain resolute and courageous in taking on and overcoming even the most difficult of challenges and even the darkest of times that may come your way in the future. We should sustain the gains of the friendships and unities we have forged despite our diversity and ensure that the next generation of Cotabateños will be able to experience the abundance of our resources, our culture, and the harmonious and peaceful life we have today,” Duterte continued.
The performers went home with all smiles and gladness as Duterte gaveP30,000 each of the 11 groups as her way of appreciation for their unity and love for their province, as expressed through their outstanding performance.
North Cotabato comebacking governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza thanked Duterte for gracing the Kalivungan Festival and who she said has remained an ally of the province.
She described the Kalivungan Festival as a “beautiful comeback to a province whose strength and perseverance have been tested by a series of strong earthquakes and health crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
She said the chance to gather again to celebrate North Cotabato’s 108 years is a new chapter of a continuing story and history where people work for a common goal for a more progressive Cotabato.
“If we really have to achieve a "Matatag na Cotabato na susulong sa anumang hamon", now is the time to gather our strength and review our past. How much have we learned from it? Did our actions or our attitudes make us realize what we did right or wrong?. Learning and doing something about it is the key to recovery and stability,” Mendoza said.
She also reminded her constituents not to allow complacency as they face the tall task of recovery and let her advocacy of Serbisyong Totoo (true service) light the path towards a strong Cotabato where everyone is benefited for whatever progress the province achieves. Photos from North Cotabato Provincial Government Facebook page
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (center) with North Cotabato Governor Emmylou "Lala" Talino-Mendoza (4rh from L) and other officials of the province during the vice president's visit at the culmination of Kalivungan Festival in Amas, Kidapawan City, Thursday (Sept.1) .Photo Vice President Sara Duterte Facebook Page
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