Crowds brave heat for Kaamulan Festival

HERITAGE DANCE Street dancers perform during the Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay City on Saturday, braving intense heat and large crowds as they showcase Bukidnon’s rich cultural heritage. —PHOTO COURTESY OF KAAMULAN FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

MALAYBALAY CITY—Despite months of preparation, intense heat and rising costs, including pressures linked to global fuel volatility, nine contingents pushed through one of the biggest highlights of the Kaamulan Festival—the street dancing, float and ground presentation competitions held on Saturday.

Participants from Valencia City, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, San Fernando, Don Carlos, Talakag, Maramag, Malaybalay City and Kalilangan took part in an all-day showcase that drew thousands of spectators under scorching conditions.

The Kaamulan Festival remains a unique cultural celebration, bringing together Bukidnon’s seven tribes—the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon—in a shared display of heritage, tradition and identity.

Malitbog emerged as champion in the ground presentation category, followed by Maramag as first runner-up and Malaybalay City as second runner-up.

In the street dancing competition, Malaybalay City secured the top spot, with Maramag as first runner-up and Malitbog placing second. In the float competition, Kalilangan was named champion, followed by Malaybalay City and San Fernando.

SYMBOL OF BIODIVERSITY Participants from the local governemnt of San Fernando in Bukidnon showcased a float inspired by Mount Malimumu in Barangay Magkalungay, home to rich biodiversity, pitcher plants, and Tagoyaman Fernando, a rescued Philippine eagle released in 2021, highlighting the town’s natural heritage at the Kaamulan Festival on Saturday. —PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN FERNANDO LGU

Emotional performance

Online, San Fernando drew strong public support, with viewers praising what many described as one of the most emotionally grounded performances. Some netizens noted that the presentation reflected real-life struggles, adding depth to its storytelling.

In a statement to supporters, San Fernando Vice Mayor Jeasar Mae Yeke encouraged the contingent, emphasizing that their effort reflected the true spirit of the community. She described the result not as a defeat, but as a challenge to continue striving in future competitions.

The municipality remained a crowd favorite, drawing strong audience engagement throughout the performances.

Special awards were also given, including recognition for cultural integrity and relevance to Malitbog; excellence in indigenous sounds and rhythmic beats to Maramag; and excellence in cultural narrative, movement traditions and traditional attire to Malitbog.