The City Tourism Office in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region XII, City Tourism Council headed by Bai Sandra Sema, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Trade and Industry XII and the Cotabato Grocers Association undertake continuous preparations for the coming 3-day celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival this December 17-19.

Sharif Kabunsuan Festival

According to City Tourism Chairperson Mr. Benjie Abarca, activities include Parade, Guinakit Fluvial Parade & Cultural presentation, and Traditional Games & Sports such as Bangka Racing.

The Pagana Maguindanao will highlight the Inaul Fashion Show which will present the different designs of attire using the Inaul Malong considered as main product of Cotabato City.

Due to the unstable peace and order situation in the city, there will be no Street Dancing Parade Abarca said.

The City Tourism Office is also preparing some activities for the Shariff Kabunsuan Trade Fair, the Immaculate Concepcion, Christmas Festival, Rizal Day Celebration and the Fireworks Display on December 31.

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival 2008

One of the significant festivals in Cotabato is the Feast of Eid’L Fit’R celebrated every end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. The festivity is filled with merrymaking equal to the Christian New Year celebration complete with fireworks and feasts. Followed by the traditional “pistahan” into a holiday for both the spirit and the body. Features a nightly variety show, agro-trade exhibits, a Filipiniana dance parade and the Marian Procession.

Likewise, other festivals being celebrated in the city are Araw ng Kutabato every 20th of June, Immaculate Conception Day, the City’s Patronal Fiesta celebrated on Dec. 8, Shariff Kabunsuan Festival every 19th of December and Our Lady of Penafrancia Fiesta, a replica of the fluvial procession in Naga City.

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