LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Residents and festival enthusiasts experienced a colorful, joyful, and lively celebration of the Hudyaka sa Lubi (Merriment of Coconuts) Festival in this town, more than two years after the celebration was put on hold due to the pandemic.
The festival also coincides with the celebration of the 63rd founding anniversary of the town.
People at the festival were mesmerized by the colorful costumes made from coconut parts and worn during the much-anticipated dance competition and festival queen competition.
The eight barangays vied for the said competitions. Contingents from Barangay Samburon bagged the P70,000 grand prize for the festival dance competition, followed by Barangay Poblacion with a prize of P50,000, and Barangay Bosque, which won a P30,000 cash prize.
Barangay Bosque also bagged the Best in Costume award, while Barangay Samburon grabbed the Best in Choreography and Best in Street Dancing awards.
The festival queen of Barangay Samburon was crowned the Hudyaka sa Lubi Festival Queen, bagging awards such as Ms. Photogenic, Best in Production Number, and Best in Festival Costume.
Meanwhile, the festival queen of Barangay Poblacion finished second and was awarded Best in Introductory Show and Best in Solo Performance. The festival queen of Barangay Magoong was declared the 3rd placer.
Embracing unity toward success
Despite being the smallest town in Lanao del Norte province, Linamon, has proven its economic growth through its thriving coconut industry. The town also boasts its delicious "one-town-one-product," Buko (coconut) pie.
Mayor Randy Macapil underscored the significance of unity among Muslims and Christians in achieving progress.
"Sa hinay-hinay, nakita nato ang progreso sa atong mahal nga lungsod, tungod kay ato gipadayon ang panaghiusa para dugang nga kalambuan makab-ot ta. Ang critical success factor ang panaghiusa," he said.
(Little by little, we have seen progress in our beloved city because we continue to unite to achieve more prosperity. The critical success factor is unity)
Engine for income generation
The triumphant return of the festival also enabled the vendors in the town to earn more income and regain the losses they incurred with the pandemic.
Jessel Mae Ladion, who sells ice cream part-time, with her partner during weekends or holidays, recalled their hardship during the onset of the pandemic. She stated that they are unable to sell their product to picnickers at some beach resorts because they already sell ice cream.As a result, the festival's return signaled the town's return to normalcy.
"Atong pandemic, naglisod among panginabuhi. Malipayon mi nga tungod aning gipahigayon nga festival, dako mi og halin," she said.
(During the pandemic, our livelihood was challenging. We are happy because of this festival, we earn more profit)
The festival did not just make people burst with joy through colorful performances but also enabled opportunities for small entrepreneurs. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
