MimaiScribbles

Yesterday, the local government of Cagayan de Oro, through the City Tourism Council, the City Information Office, and the City Fiesta Executive Committee presented to members of the media the final official line up of events for Higalaay Festival 2017.  As usual, there are two sets of events this year: the core events (mostly spearheaded by or in partnership with the city government) and the parallel events (mostly organized by private groups or organizations).

The first core event, the Higalaay Agri Fair and Garden Show, kicked off this morning at Gaston Park. From today until August 31, Kagay-anons and tourists can enjoy the showcase of products at the venue beginning 8am all the way until 5pm. This event gathers participants from Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and other parts of the region. Likewise, farmers and fisherfolks also have their products on display.

Another Higalaay core event is the Mindanao Fashion Summit organized by the Oro Fashion Designers Guild and the Designers Assembly. The 3-day event will be held from August 3 to 5, during mall hours at Limketkai Mall’s Rotunda. This year’s MFS will feature Mindaoan fabric, guest designers from various parts of the region, a showcase by the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, Ororama’s Orange Collection, and a special tribute to the late Kagay-anon fashion designer John Mark Magallanes, who died earlier this year.

From August 18 to 20, the Cowboy Festival, which features a horse show, will be held from 8am to 6pm at the CDO Uptown area. Expected participants are from Davao, Malaybalay, Impasug-ong, Agusan, Cebu, Bohol, Tagoloan, and Libona, among others. Meanwhile, happening from August 18 to 29 is the Regional Kahimunan Trade Fair, which will feature Region 10’s best products. The trade fair will be at SM CDO Downtown Premier.

Sports buffs, runners, and marathon enthusiasts are invited to join the Kagay-an Festival Marathon, which will be on August 20, 3am (gun start) at Centrio Mall. The first fiesta marathon was in 2010 with only two categories: 5K and 10K. It was then known as the Kagay-an Festival Run. Today, the marathon has five categories: 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K (half marathon), and 42K (full marathon). Registration is now ongoing at Centrio Mall and La Cabana Spa along CM Recto Avenue. The fees are as follows: 3K – Php350, 5K – Php350, 10K – Php850, 21K – Php1200, and 42K – Php1800.

Also happening on August 20 is one of the most colorful events of the Higalaay Festival: the Carnival Street Dance Competition. This year’s street dance will start from Velez Street, in the area near the Sports Center, and will end up on Tiano Brothers Street, in the area near Veteran’s Bank (where the participants will be performing).  A total of nine (9) barangays and groups are ready to showcase their colorful costumes and dances – Bgy. Gusa, Bgy. Bugo, Bgy. Camaman-an, Bgy. 18, Bgy. 17, Mambuaya, Liceo de Cagayan University, Villanueva, and Tagoloan. Guest performances will also be rendered by the West City Central School Drum & Bugle Corp and CDOTC (Cagayan de Oro Talent Center) models. Audiences and participants will also witness the coronation of this year’s Carnival King & Queen. The Carnival Street Dance Competition is now on its 4th year.

The first Higalaay Chorale Competition will take place on August 22, 3pm at Centrio Mall. This is one of the new fiesta events and is expected to draw in participants from various parts of the region. This Northern Mindanao-wide competition aims to put a spotlight on local talents and local music. In fact, contestants will be interpreting an original song composed by the mother of Mayor Oscar Moreno. For more information about the competition, please get in touch with Dr. Bien Tagolimot at 0977-812 7679 or John Baclig at 0917-706 9013.

On August 26, all roads will lead to the Limketkai Mall Atrium for the Miss Cagayan de Oro 2017 Coronation Night. Special guests for the evening will be Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, Ms. Pia Wurtzbach’s gown designer Albert Andrada, and TV Patrol’s Mario Dumawal. Curtains will be raised at 7pm. Admission is FREE.

The Higalaay Street Parade and Floats will unfold the following day, on August 27, 7am, with Rodelsa Circle as the starting point and Limketkai Center as the end point. This year’s theme is “Ang Sugilanon: Great Moments in the History of Cagayan de Oro”. Participants will be students from public and private schools (grade 7 and up), civic groups, and organizations. Minimum number of persons per contingent is 50, while the maximum is 200 persons. Float categories are divided into two: non-competing and competing. Organizers of the Street Parade and Floats event are coordinating with representatives of the Historical Commission. For more information, please get in touch with Jun Suaner at 0917-140 5776 or Gladys Gabucan at 0905-280 5448.

Other core events to take note of:

• Centrio Mall Bisperas Fireworks – August 27, 8pm, Duaw Park
• Religious Procession – August 28, 4am, St. Augustine Cathedral
• Fluvial Procession – August 28, 10am, Duaw Park
• Kagay-an Pyro Music Festival – August 28, 9pm, Pueblo de Oro Business Park
• Higalaay Festival Sale – Citywide: Gaisano Mall – August 1 to 31/Limketkai Center – August 14 to 31/SM City – August 21 to 31/Ororama – August 25 to 28/Centrio Mall – August 25 to 30

You can also check out the list and schedules of parallel events below:

Security Measures

Colonel Roland Orquia, Commander of Task Force Oro, assured everyone that strict security measures will be implemented for the month-long celebration. All events, whether core or parallel, are afforded the same level of importance in terms of safety. However, he stressed that special measures are to be applied to all parades and processions. As such, Task Force Oro requests everyone to adhere to the following DOs and DONTs for all parades and processions:

DOs:

• When challenged by PNP or the Military, submit yourself for verification.
• Bring pertinent documents for identification.
• Report any suspicious character or item.

DONTs:

• Don’t bring deadly weapons.
• Don’t bring backpacks (unless authorized by the organizers and Task Force Oro, i.e. photographers).
• Don’t wear bullcaps.
• Don’t use your umbrella during the parade.
• No pushing and bumping.
• Bringing of small children is discouraged.
• If possible, do not bring vehicles.
• No smoking.
• Avoid watching the parade if you are under the influence of liquor.
• Avoid telling bomb jokes.
• Drones are not allowed, except when accredited by parade/fiesta organizers.
• Parallel activity is not allowed unless approved by the city government.
• Street vendors are not allowed along the parade route.

If we all follow these DOs and DONTs, it’s going to be a grand celebration for Cagayan de Oro!

In the meantime, check out the event schedules and start marking your calendars now. The earlier you plan out your fiesta activities, the better (and the merrier)!

Happy fiesta month, Kagay-anons!