Cotabato marks Shariff Kabunsuan Festival

Tomorrow, Dec. 15, the Cotabato government and City Tourism Council will again celebrate the 11th Shariff Kabunsuan Festival highlighting the colorful Ginakit Fluvial Competition. This year’s theme is celebrating cultural diversity.

Activities include Kuyog, a civic and cultural parade; different cultural dance groups in Mindanao; Pagana Grand Kanduli— Thanksgiving at People’s Palace and Lilang-Lilang sa City Wharf, a program at the city wharf.

“The celebration is anchored on the history of the place for it commemorates the arrival of Mohammad Shariff Kabunsuan, and Arab missionary from Johore and his subsequent introduction of Islamic faith to the natives,” said Bai Sandra Ampatuan Sema, wife of Cotabato City Mayor Moslemin Sema, also the City Tourism Council executive head.

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival has been institutionalized under the auspices of Bai Sandra Sema and the City Tourism Council and was adjudged as the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines in 2006 by the Department of Tourism.

The Cotabato City government led by Mayor Moslimin Sema is supporting the festival.