MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/11 April 2025) Contingents from Bukidnon’s two cities, Malaybalay and Valencia and two of 20 towns, Cabanglasan and Libona, are competing in this year’s 2025 Kaamulan Streetdancing Competition.
The annual Ikat-ikat Ta Dadalanen (streetdancing) to be held on April 12, 2025 is one of the highlights of the annual Kaamulan spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Bukidnon with participation from the two cities and 20 towns of the province as well as the private sector.
Six other towns are joining the Municipality of Cabanglasan to represent Bukidnon’s seven ethnic groups in the non-competitive “Parade of the 7 Ethnic Groups”.
The following towns will represent their respective ethnic groups: Municipality of Cabanglasan (Umayamnon), Kalilangan (Manobo), Manalo Fortich (Bukidnon), San Fernando (Tigwahanon), Kitaotao (Matigsalug), Talakag (Higaonon), Pangantucan (Talaandig).
Pre-parade events start as early as 3.a.m. on Saturday, April 12, with the Pamukaw, the Pamalabag Ritual to be held infront the Old Pine Hills Hotel, and the Panangkila at the Old City Hall of Malaybalay. There will be opening fireworks at 430a.m. and at 4:50a.m.
The Streetdancing parade starts at 5a.m. from the Old Pine Hills Hotel to the Plaza Rizal (City Plaza). The non-competing delegations are featured first then the competing contingents.
The Ground Cultural Presentations and Competition will start at 830a.m. at the Capitol Grounds.
TESDA Sec. Jose Francisco Benitez, PhD and Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco, were scheduled to be the guest speakers in the Kaamulan main event. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, and Vice Governor Clive D. Quino will be giving messages as well as Atty. Arbie S. Llesis, the Provincial IP Mandatory Representative to the Sannguniang Panlalawigan.
“Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul” which means “to gather”. The first Kaamulan was celebrated in 1974, as part of the celebration of the Parochial fiesta of Malaybalay.
According to Bukidnon.gov.ph, as an ethnic festival, the Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon.
The present-day Kaamulan has evolved throughout the years and does not only highlight Bukidnon’s ethnic groups but also the products and local establishments that abound in the province, the website quoted. These are displayed in the Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-fair, and Livestock Show. Crowd-drawing events such as the Motocross, Off-road Competition, Rodeo, Amateur Boxing, Invitational Basketball Tournament, Adventure Races, concerts, and several others are also roped into the festivity.
“To the (hill tribes), Kaamulan heralds the symbolic breakthrough of their long quest for meaning and identity. And to the new generation, the old local folks and even visiting foreigners, the Kaamulan has become an avenue for the recognition and appreciation of Bukidnon’s unraveled cultural legacy carefully preserved by the traditional population,” the website said. (BukidnonNews.Net)