Halad Festival in Midsayap, Cotabato
I miss my birthplace Midsayap. Yesterday was the Halad festival in my birthplace. I know how this festival is always celebrated not only by Midsayapeños but also with people from different parts of the Philippines and the the world. When Cebu celebrates Sinulog, Midsayap also feasts about halad. I hope I can visit again this beautiful place. Above photo are the participants with colorful and festive customs. Here is a little info about Midsayap halad Festival.
source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru12/Municipal%20Profile/Midsayap/Profile.htm
Annually, the people of Midsayap prepares for the grand celebration of the town fiesta popularly known as Halad sa Sto. Niño Festival which is held every third Sunday of January. The Halad Festival, celebrated in honor of the town’s patron saint Sr. Sto. Niño, is highlighted by the colorful street dancing and parade competition. Groups from various towns in Cotabato Province as well as from Cotabato City and neighboring towns of Maguindanao Province troop annually to Midsayap to participate in the contest and try their luck to win the top prize.
The festival gained national recognition when the 2003 Halad champions, all students of Alamada National High School, represented Region XII in the national street dancing competition and won the P1 million grand prize in the Aliwan Fiesta held in May 2003 in Intramuros, Manila. Inspired by their back-to-back wins, the group participated again in the Pamaskong Aliwan Festival in December of that same year and won the P1 million grand prize. Both festivals were part of the Visit Philippines 2003 program of the Department of Tourism.
November 13th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
This is informative especially Halad is just around the corner, Hope you will write for more regarding Halad and Midsayap in the future to showcase Midsayap.