T’NALAK FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

T’nalak Festival Schedule of Activities

T’NALAK FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES [ SOUTH COTABATO]

Contents

Most of the time, people would fear just by hearing about the place Cotobato. This may be why the name itself is usually tied to conflicts in the area, making people feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Well, guess what? That may be true, but a lot of things changed in place, most especially when they started having the T’nalak Festival way back in the year 1999.

South Cotabato has been a province for decades, and yet, they first did not have a reason to come up with an event to celebrate the actual founding anniversary of the province. It was only in the year 1989 when the locals of Cotabato found a fantastic reason to celebrate; they intertwined it with the award given to the late Lang Dulay, a local of Lake Sebu, as a National Living Treasure due to her work as a T’nalak weaver. The big and extravagant festival was born through this awarding event, the T’nalak Festival. The current festivity has two primary objectives. The first is to celebrate the province’s founding anniversary, and the second is to honor the rich cultural heritage of T’nalak.

T’nalak is the ultimate emblem that represents the province. It is a fabric made with abaca and is being used for the weaving of the T’boli women. In fact, the pattern of designs they use is said to be coming from their dreams, making them also known as the “dreamweavers.” The awarded late Lang Dulay was one of the best weavers in their town, which led to her being awarded the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasure Award by former President Ramos.

The festival’s name was derived from t’nalak, a colorful abaca cloth created and woven by the women of the province’s T’boli tribe. The T’nalak fabric serves as the festival icon because it symbolizes the blending of culture, strength, and unity of the various ethnic groups living in the province

What makes this festival unique? Being held at the Koronadal City, tourists would for sure enjoy this festival as they indulge in the colorful and vibrant theme celebration. The event’s highlights usually happen on the last day, where they have the Tri-People Grand Parade. This was called a Tri-People because it represents the three cultures of the province, the indigenous, the Visayan, and the Muslims. The city’s main streets turn into a substantial performing stage with the vibrant color of red anywhere.

They also have the most anticipated Street-Dancing Showdown. This T’nalak Festival street dancing showdown does not merely consist of simple dancing choreography. Each presentation contains a traditional story of the province through the use of songs, dramas, and of course, dance steps. They also have the Bahay Kubo competition, where groups compete to develop the best Filipino-designed home. They make use of bamboo and locally produced materials that represent the livelihood of each town or group. Thus, promoting the entire Filipino culture and traditions.

T’nalak (Tinalak) Festival is a festival that commemorates the foundation anniversary of South Cotabato. Happened every month of July in Koronadal City, the capital of South Cotabato.

Much has been said about the festival, and yet these words will not exactly encapsulate what the festival is all about. Why? It needs your actual presence to experience the beauty and richness of the Cotabato culture and traditions. Indeed, the T’nalak festival is a must-visit occasion.

T’nalak Festival Schedule of Activities

July 13 — Agri-trade fair [Bahay Kubo and Plant Competition], Panubli: Dreamweavers, Interfaith Thanksgiving, Koronadal’s Night, and Fireworks Display.

July 14 — Grand Opening [Civic and Military Parade and Float Competition], Thematic Musical Dance Competition, Jobs Fair, and Daily T’nalak Events.

July 15 — Motorcross [Day 1], Pinaka Competition, Farm Walk & Farmer’s Festival, Business Summit [Day 1], Daily Tnalak Events and Mutya ng South Cotabato.

July 16 — Timog Cotabato: PBM Congressional Day, Motocross [Day 2], Business Summit [Day 2], Golf Tournament [Day 2], Daily T’nalak Events and Governor’s Night/Dangal ng South Cotabato.

July 17 — Folk Dance Competition, Weaving Flavors of the Month, Hiphop Competition, Daily T’nalak Events and Dancesport Competition

July 18 — Street Dancing Competition [Madal Be’lan, Kadsagayan A Lalan and Kasadyahan sa Kapatagan], Foundation Anniversary Program, Daily T’nalak Events and Grand Fireworks Display.

HOW TO GET THERE FOR THE T’NALAK FESTIVAL

Air. There are daily flights from Manila to General Santos City.
Land. From General Santos City, you can rent a taxi to Koronadal City, South Cotabato’s capital.

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH COTABATO

Please click here for the List of Hotels and Resorts in South Cotabato

T’nalak festival

12 Comments

Edonis A. Francisco
July 12, 2018 at 22:17 · Reply

Fantastically amazing !
Mishary Amindato
April 26, 2018 at 05:13 · Reply

I’m asking of how I can apply for vacant space for ukay2x.
Vincent
July 4, 2017 at 21:33 · Reply

I am from koronadal city, south cotabato..
..Once youll visit and witness the t nalak festival here.. You will surely be amazed.. I Promise!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
June 12, 2016 at 12:55 · Reply

I’ve never been to South Cotabato and it’s my first time to hear about the T’nalak Festival. Thanks for sharing about it.
Ria C
June 11, 2016 at 14:40 · Reply

The farthest I have been in Mindanao is in Surigao Del Norte because my dad is from that province. I have yet to see the beautiful provinces in the Philippines.
Jessica Cassidy
June 11, 2016 at 11:19 · Reply

I have never been to South Cotabato. I hope someday. I want to explore more of our beautiful country. I LOVED watching festival as well while growing up. I always watched if there is a parade during the fiesta. This makes me even more missed my native country.
Zwitsy
June 10, 2016 at 22:30 · Reply

Now I really like the concept of your blog. Aside from sharing travel experiences, you also share advance schedules and activities that can be done in a certain place. I’ll surely bookmark your site so that when I plan to visit a certain place, I know what to do and what to prepare then. Those who are planning to go there on this 50th celebration of T’nalak can still prep since they still have a month to do it. Only if I have no business to work on here, I’ll definitely give a try of going to places.
Fernando C Lachica
June 10, 2016 at 13:08 · Reply

Love the festivals all over the world, but sad to say, well…maybe…Great schedules and activities for this festival.
Teresa Martinez
June 10, 2016 at 12:51 · Reply

Truth be told, I have not yet had the pleasure of witnessing this festival, so it is very interesting to read about it in your post.
Chubskulit Rose
June 10, 2016 at 12:11 · Reply

I love those traditional costumes. they are vibramt and beautiful!
E Viana
June 6, 2016 at 22:18 · Reply

This is my “woe” as I have not been to a lot of places in the Philippines. Hopefully in the following months my family could plan out a trip locally
Nova
June 5, 2016 at 18:52 · Reply

This schedule is very helpful especially those who are heading in that place, a nice thing and events for them to witness and explore.