The Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Province of Bukidnon celebrated its annual Kaamulan 2024. Kaamulan is the only ethnic cultural festival in the Philippines held on March 23 – April 23, 2024.

One of the main highlights of the said festival is the Street Dancing Competition, Ground Presentation, and also the selection of the Best Float held on April 20, 2024 at the capital of Bukidnon – City of Malaybalay.

LGU – Malaybalay is one of the participants of the aforementioned activity alongside four other LGUs namely, Municipalities of Quezon, Lantapan, Impasugong, and Baungon.

Malaybalay City’s storyline was entitled “Pinuon Hu Kape” which revolved around the true to life story of Bae Inatlawan of the Bukidnon-Daraghuyan Tribe including the people under her tribal leadership that took place in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

How the tribe was able to get into coffee plantation, the conflict that they have experienced and how they were able to overcome everything before Inhandig Coffee was acknowledged as one of the best arabica coffees in the world was highlighted in their overall performances.

Their coffee plantation is located at the foot of Mt. Dulang-dulang of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, the 2nd highest mountain of the country.

Street dancing competition started at 5:00AM after the ritual conducted near Pine Hills Hotel, also the designated starting point of the contest. There were also a non-bearing street presentation of the seven tribes’ representatives coming from nine other LGUs at the end of the aforementioned official contingents.
On the other hand, the ground presentation took place at Capitol Grounds and was concluded by the announcement of winners for each categories that are as follows:

STREET DANCING COMPETITION:
Champion – MALAYBALAY CITY
1st runner up – IMPASUGONG
2nd runner up – LANTAPAN

GROUND PRESENTATION:
Champion – QUEZON
1st runner up – LANTAPAN
2nd runner up – MALAYBALAY CITY

BEST FLOAT:
Champion – MALAYBALAY CITY
1st runner up – BAUNGON
2nd runner up – IMPASUGONG

Malaybalay City was proclaimed as the overall champion. This is the very 1st time that the city’s float was declared as champion after many years of attempting to get the title.

LGU – Malaybalay’s workforce is headed by City Administrator Atty. Anna Marie R. Bergado under the supervision of City Mayor Hon. Jay Warren R. Pabillaran. The almost three month preparation for the activity was made possible thru the efforts of the Kaamulan Technical Working Group and Secretariat.

Report by: JIANY BON B. BAGIOHAN, City Tourism-NADA