Last July 13, Friday, the brightest and most vibrant festival in the Province of South Cotabato officially opened. The week long festivities roared as participants, spectators and guests made their way onto the streets to celebrate their 52nd Founding Anniversary and the 19th T’nalak Festival.
From locals to foreign visitors, the province was decked in the most colorful of colors representing South Cotabato’s rich culture and tradition. Boasting of fresh produce and weaves that has since caught the world by storm, the festivities was the province’s way of saying thank you to everyone.
Joining in the festivities were some of the country’s most familiar public servants, Sen. Cynthia Villar and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. Joining them was SAP Christopher ‘Bong’ Go. Not only were they there to celebrate with the people but more so, show support to the many hardworking people of the province.
Festival Keynote Speaker, Sen. Cynthia Villar, proudly shared that the T’nalak Festival, through the years, has gotten bigger, better and grander thus making it even more interesting every year.
Villar, who is also the Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture and author of the Farm Tourism Law, said,“The festival shows the best of your faith, culture, and history.” She further highlighted the good harvest of the province.
“Happy ako na 68% ng mga household dito sa inyo ay may food garden at natutuwa akong malaman na target pa ninyong umabot ito hanggang 80 percent (I am happy that 68% of the households here have their own food garden and even better, your province is aiming for an 80% target)”, Villar emphasized.
On the other hand, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, her memories of the province dates back to when she and her siblings were in school. She recalls that whenever they do well in school, they would take vacations and South Cotabato was always on their itinerary. “Ito and aming premyo (It was our reward)”, she shared.
Furthermore, Marcos expressed her congratulations for South Cotabato’s development. “South Cotabato development is seen in its great properties, increase in income and happiness of its people,” she said. To which the crowd roared with appreciation.
