WAO, Lanao del Sur (PIA)—The Municipality of Wao in Lanao del Sur province kicked off this year another colorful and jovial celebration of the Kariyala Festival and the 62nd Araw ng Wao to acclaim the abundant harvests reaped by the townsmen and the progress they have made since their town’s inception.
With the theme "Soaring High Towards Excellence and Global Competitiveness to the New Normal," this year’s observance commenced on February 10 and culminated, February 22.
A night café, an agro-trade expo, Mutya ng Wao 2023, a comedy show, a civic parade, a drum and bell competition, a reggae night, a fireworks show, and sports competitions like biking, tennis, and motocross were among the highlights of the celebration.
"Iyong Kariyala na tinatawag ay merrymaking o pagpapasalamat sa biyayang ani ng bayan ng Wao. Iyon na rin ang celebration ng Araw ng Wao," said Municipal Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr.
(Kariyala is what we call the merrymaking or thanksgiving for the great harvest of the municipality of Wao. This is also the celebration of "Day ng Wao")
Balicao said that in the 1980s, his area, which was mostly farmland, was already known as one of the biggest corn and rice producers in Northern Mindanao, with more than 2,000 hectares of fields.
He said as time went on, people who lived on farms decided to plant more high-value crops to make more money and deal with the unstable prices of corn and rice on the market.
Balicao revealed that although they have been challenged with various agricultural problems such as the plague of pests, drought, and climate change, they were still able to make it through and go on with their agricultural activities.
He stressed that although time had tested them, they were still able to emerge as a progressive town that can declare its income and be proud of its tourism.
"Sa ngayon, okay naman. Umuunlad talaga ang Wao (For now, it is okay. Wao is really improving)," said Balicao.
Apart from its bountiful harvests and development, the municipality of Wao also celebrates the multi-ethnicity that has united different cultures for decades already. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
