Pakaradjaan Basilan 2018 set for February 26

MANILA, Philippines — Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman will kick off Pakaradjaan with a press conference on Feb. 21 at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

Hataman says, “The festival is not only a cultural expression of our people. We want to show that the province is happy and free from fear.”

The festival opens Feb. 26 with a ceremony, a trade fair and a presentation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan at the grandstand. The Governor’s Tennis Cup will be held in Isabela.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony of the provincial government board’s project and a medical mission on Feb. 27. Then, there are the Basilan Circumferential Road Caravan, which starts at the Maluso Terminal (Feb. 28); another medical mission in Tuburan (March 1); a series of sporting events including men’s volleyball at the Capitol Ground, shooting, bowling tournament at the D’ Biel’s bowling center (March 1) and darts tournament; to be followed by Himig ng Basilno at the grandstand (March 2).

Intelligence and artistry will be challenged in Tagisan ng Talino and a poster-making contest (March 3). On the same day, a badminton tournament will be held at gymnasium and Barangay Night at the amphitheater.

A fun run will span from Begang to the grandstand on March 4. Devotees will be inspired by the Qu-Ran Memorization Contest at the amphitheater. The indigenous culture will be celebrated in Tara Na Sa Basilan at the grandstand.

A regatta on the port, kite-flying and the coronation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan will take place on March 5. The festival also has a social cause with a feeding program for children under five years old in three municipalities on March 6. An evening program with surprise numbers will be held at the amphitheater. The festivities will climax with a cultural program at the Assembly Place of the Maluso Terminal and a Basilan Night at the gymnasium on March 7.