The province of Maguindanao will stage its first Inaul Festival from Feb 9 to 14, 2017. Buluan, the provincial capitol of Maguindanao will host the festival. Around 30,000 visitors will be joining the festival according to tourism officials.
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Tourism Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar M. Dilangalen made the announcement to media during a recent Kapehan sa Dabao forum. According to a report in Sun Star Davao, Festival Director Datu Paul Ampatuan declared they area “expecting 20,000 to 30,000 guests to witness our upcoming celebration wherein we will be featuring the most prized fabric produced by the women in Maguindanao.”
Tribute To The Inaul
The Inaul Festival is the first major festival to be held in ARMM. Named after the Inaul, the festival aims to promote the Maguindanaoan hand-woven fabric. Most recently, Inaul fabrics were part of the Mindanao Tapestry Show where Miss Universe candidates wore dresses made of these fabrics.
Tourism Secretary Dilangalen called them “one of the most valued treasures found and weaved in Maguindanao.” Aside from showcasing the Inaul, the festival also aims to show visitors the rich culture and heritage of the region.
Activities Lined Up, Security Assured
There will be an exhibit of different types of the Inaul fabric, as well as weaving demonstrations. Aside from the exhibit, a cook fest will be conducted, called the Alugan Sa Mindanao. With a predominantly Muslim population, goat will be the main ingredient in the cook fest.
Other activities that have been lined up include different sports competitions like the Sipa sa Manggis, Rodeo and Regata (a boat race). There will also be the Sagayan Dance Competition and Dindang sa Lalan (street dancing). All of these are happening during the two-week festival, according to Director Ampatuan.
Ampatuan also assured visitors that their security will be a priority during the festival. He said that the regional government has “deployed 200 tourist police officers intended to bring forth maximum security to the guests. Not only this, the PNP, AFP, including the MILF and MNLF will be working hand in hand to ensure the safety of the upcoming Inaul Festival.”