KAAMULAN FESTIVAL 2013: FACES AND COLORS

A child performer from Don Carlos

The third week of February starts to excite me with the thought of Kaamulan Festival. KAAMULAN is the gathering of the seven hill tribes in the province of Bukidnon namely Bukidnon, Higaunon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Tiguahanon and Umayamnon. The country's most genuine and authentic ethnic festival culminates on the second week of March. 

Born and raised in Bukidnon, I always find every Kaamulan something new--- the colorful costumes, the heartpounding beats, the enticing dances and the graceful faces.

The festival is highlighted by ethnic streetdancing competition that graces the curved and sloping highway of Malaybalay City.

This year's (2013) competition was participated by the munipalities of Pangantucan, Talakag, Dangcagan, Damulog, Kitaotao,Don Carlos and the cities of Valencia and Malaybalay.

Kitaotao contingents won the grand prizes in both streetdancing and ground competition. Talakag, on the other hand, won the best float.  

Kitaotao streetdancers

Kitaotao streetdancers in their grand winning performance

The monster story is the main highlight of Kitaotao's winning performance in ground competition 

The Best Float Awardee from Talakag

 Here are the rest of the colorful festive performances and graceful faces:

This girl truly amazed me that everyone surrounding her seemed like a nuisance.

The complete list of winners:

Best Float:
1st Place-Talakag
2nd Place-Dangcagan
3rd Place-Don Carlos

Ground Presentation:
1st Place-Kitaotao

2nd Place-Valencia

3rd Place-Talakag

Streetdancing Competition: 

1st Place-Kitaotao

2nd Place-Talakag

3rd Place-Valencia