Tabuk celebrates 7th founding anniversary, Matagoan Festival

By Geraldine Dumallig

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – With the theme ‘Timpuyog, Gaget, ken Disiplina, Tabuk Rumang-ay Ka,’ this city staged five-day revelry on its 7th founding anniversary and 13th Matagoan Festival from June-23-27.

The events started with the Matagoan Call or ayag with drum and lyre bands going around the city announcing start of festivities.  

It was followed by ecumenical ceremony, formal opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair, and the Search for Ms. Matagoan 2014 in the evening.

The Agro-Industrial Fair had its soft opening on  June 21 for early buyers of Kalinga products.

June 24 was City Foundation Day opened with a float parade of the past and present mayors of Tabuk City, and entourage of the Ms. Matagoang 2014 winners.

A civic parade followed the float parade.

Grand opening program was held at the People’s Gym with Department of Education  Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Alberto Muyot as guest of honor and speaker where City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban delivered his anniversary message.

After the declaration rite of Tabuk as a United City was the performance of the ‘Tabuk One Band One City’ or TOBOC, the first largest choreographed band performance  in the province with a thousand of majorettes and drum and lyre players participating in the historic event.

The program concluded with formal opening of the DepEdTabuk City Division Office.

In the afternoon was drum and lyre exhibition, fireworks display in the evening and reunion concert of Tabuk artists.   

June 25 was Barangay Day, starting with the 5-km Matagoan Run, a marathon with participants in Kalingag-string and tapis.

It started early morning with street dancing parade and competition centered on the theme “Tabuk City: Save Mother Earth.”

Guest and speaker was Cordillera Trade and Industry director Myrna Pablo with Rep. Manuel Agyao delivering an inspirational message.

Concluding the morning event was formal opening of the business permit and licensing system (BPLS) two-way process, launching of the Chamber of Kalinga Producers, Inc. (CKAPI) Shared Service Facility Project, and awarding of grassroots participatory budgeting fund for Tabuk City.

In the afternoon was the “World’s Greatest Magic Entertainment”  followed by barangay solidarity program.

June 26 was Cultural and Tourism Day, starting with a parade at 7 a.m. Messages were delivered by the mayors of Tabuk’s sister municipalities like Mayor Abraham Akilit of Bauko, Mt. Province; Mayor Faustino Aquisan of Kabayan, Benguet; Mayor Edna Tabanda of La Trinidad, Benguet and Mayor Reynaldo Flores of Naguilian, La Union.    

The day’s guest of honor and speaker was Alma Moreno, national chairman  of the Philippine Councilors League.

DOT-CAR director Purificacion Molintas also delivered a message.

The morning event will ended with Dornat rituals, and bamboo musicale and dance presentation.

At 1 pm was the Tabuk CLGU and Pasil LGU friendship basketball game.

Para-gliding for the adventurous was at 2 p.m. simultaneous with  TM/Globe sponsored city tour for Manila and Baguio City students.

At 6:30 p.m. was Tabuk Matagoan TM Singing Showdown “The Voice of Tabuk” and concert with the TM celebrity band featuring Angeline Quinto and Marcelito Pomoy.

The next day was Farmer’s and Cooperative Day starting with the sector’s parade while at  7 a.m. was a tree planting activity.

Department of Agriculture Assistant Sec.Edilberto de Luna graced the Agri-coop Program as guest of honor and speaker with Kalinga Gov. JocelBaac delivering an inspirational message.

In the afternoon was the Agri-Indigenous games featuring the Kariada contest, horse racing, and coconut grating. 

Veterinary games included sheep slaughter skills, pinikpikan preparation, Muscovy sa Kalunsuran, and organic pig catching. 

In the evening was Tabuk Night with the business sector and OFWs which concluded with fireworks display.

June 28 was Jump-off for the Matagoan bike fest at 6 a.m. while June 29 was Matagoan Festival 2014 Regional Taekwondo Open at the People’s Gym.