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Aspirations for economy, unity, IP priorities expressed as Kaamulan 2023 opens
MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/25 March 2023) Officials expressed their aspirations for Bukidnon in time for the Kaamulan 2023 opening activities on March 25, which included the traditional ritual and a province-wide drum and lyre competitions, among the major highlights.
Gov. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, overseeing his first Kaamulan as governor after winning the post in the May 2022 elections, called for a focus on positive similarities for the entire province. He said this must be learned from the lessons given by Bukidnon's IP family. He cited the different traits from the different tribes, which did not stop them from gathering together.
”Let us gather together in a peaceful brotherhood for a peaceful and prosperous Bukidnon," he said as he urged for the focus not on individual music but on the harmony - the music sum, which he said "is greater than the music played by individual parts".
He urged Bukidnon’s 1.5 million residents in 464 barangays, 20 towns and two cities, and seven tribes to “bond” as “one Bukidnon”. In the run up to the May 2022 elections, then 4th District Rep. Roque ran with the slogan, “Bagong Bukidnon” (new Bukidnon).
The governor also expressed hope for a better economy for the province after the pandemic, which stalled the staging of the Kaamulan in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
”Finally we can celebrate the Kaamulan... I can see our patronage of food and goods. I hope that our merriment may result in the rise of our economy, in business, tourism, and others,” he said in his remarks, made after the presentations of the contingents in the elementary category of the Drum and Lyre competitions. The contingent from Malaybalay City’s St. Peter National High School won the Drum and Lyre Secondary School Level. They garnered almost all of the special awards, with their presentation that featured “a love story” juxtaposed to a back draft on “Gugma sa Bukidnon” (love for Bukidnon). Valencia City’s Catumbalon Elementary School won the elementary level.
The theme of the month-long Kaamulan 2023 is “One Bukidnon: A celebration of unity in cultural diversity”.
Vice Gov. Clive D. Quiño thanked other officials and organizers for the staging of Kaamulan 2023 and offered thanks to God for stopping the pandemic, and allowing the celebration.
He said the people of Bukidnon, basing on the example of the seven tribes, are people who are strongly united, understanding, and loving, which to him is the “spirit of Kaamulan”.
Earlier, Roque and Quiño led local and regional officials in the ribbon cutting, which was done after the Pamukalag, a traditional ritual led by baylans and elders of the province’s seven tribes.
According to a briefing kit provided to the media practitioners, the Pamukalag is a pangabli, or an opening ritual, which is traditionally done before any tribal activity is started. The ritual is done as a pangampo or an offering of aspirations and prayers to keep the Kaamulan activities away from accidents and other untoward incidents and for peace and order to prevail instead.
Ritualists offered a pig and seven chickens of different colors in the ritual, intended to represent the seven tribes.
In this year’s pamukalag, among the many aspirations expressed by Datu Bagani Arbie S. Llesis, the indigenous peoples mandatory representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, was for IP priorities.
He aspired for love to prevail in Bukidnon, which is already a “shared territory”. He said the IPs' aspirations is for the Lumad to be included in the development of Bukidnon. He recounted the time when it was the Lumad who accommodated and helped the settlers when they arrived in Bukidnon.
He expressed that hopefully Bukidnon will be able to pass its IP Code, which will secure the budget for the IP. He said it can also become the basis of IP codes of the province's cities and towns.
Llesis said it may be high time for the settlers to “return the love back to the IPs.”
”Gagaw (love in Binukid), is the spirit of Kaamulan,” he added. (BukidnonNews.Net)
IN PHOTO: Bae Inatlawan Adelina Tarino leads the Pamukalag ritual to open the Kaamulan 2023. Courtesy of DOT-10.
Drum and Lyre Competitions - Results
Elementary Level
2nd Place - Alae Central Elementary School, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (Best in Musicality, Best Band Major)
Champion - Catumbalon Elementary School, Valencia City, Bukidnon (Best in Choreography, Most Disciplined Group, Best in Costume, Best Band Majorette)
Secondary Level
6th - Catumbalon National High School (Valencia City)
5th - St. Joseph High School (Valencia City)
4th - Kibawe National High School (Kibawe, Bukidnon)
3rd - Bukidnon National High School (Malaybalay City)
2nd - Valencia National High School (Valencia City) (Best Band Majorette)
Champion - St. Peter National High School (Malaybalay City) - (Best in Musicality, Best in Choreography, Most Discipline Group, Best in Costume, Best Band Major)
Source: Official Stage Announcement
Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Northern Mindanao Office
Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Northern Mindanao Office
Courtesy of Gov. Rogelio Neil P. Roque's FB account
Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Northern Mindanao Office