MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--After a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wao town's Kariyala Festival returned to the limelight this year.

The local festivity highlighted the town's 62nd foundation day celebrated from Feb. 14 to Feb. 22 with the theme “Soaring High Towards Excellence and Global Competitiveness to the New Normal.”

Kariyala is Maranao term for merrymaking and thanksgiving for peace and bountiful harvest. The festival spotlights the unity of the three major cultural communities in the municipality and thanksgiving for bountiful harvest and peace.

Wao Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. said the celebration is their way of showing that the different cultural communities in Wao are united. "That is why Wao also means 'we are one.' Mapa-Muslim man, Kristiyano o nitibo, dito sa Wao ay pantay-pantay lahat," he said.

A civic parade brimming with lively colors and creative rhythms marked the anniversary program on Feb. 21. Drums and bells were sounded as local government officials and employees, students, barangay officials, line agencies, and sectoral organizations marched to the town plaza to join the program.

A drum and bell competition participated by elementary and secondary schools was held on the same day followed by a Reggae Night concert and fireworks display.

Before the anniversary program, various activities were also conducted to spice up this year’s celebration. These include an agro-trade expo, motocross, biking, Kalilang, and the search for Mutya ng Wao 2023.

The most anticipated Kariyala Street Dancing and Showdown took center stage on Feb. 22 anchored on the theme “Sayaw Pasasalamat Sa Biyayang Ani at Kapayapaan.”

The mayor thanked the town’s people and all barangay local government units for contributing to the success of their lined-up activities.

He also reminded them to remain guarded against peace spoilers and encouraged them to continuously work together for a stronger and more resilient town. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)