For visitors who were earlier advised to stay in their hotel rooms after 6 p.m., it is surprising to see so many people still browsing from one stall to another, checking the wares on display. Some are dancing to the rhythmic throb of gongs. Others are just enjoying the night, eating local delicacies like tinagtag (rice roll), putlimandi (nut-flavored cookies), dudol (rice jam) and sinina (spicy goat meat).
"It’s always like this until midnight," says Bai Sandra Basar of the Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kutawato, Inc. (mcciki), which hosts the trade fair. Many are still wandering about the grounds and nearby plaza way past closing time at 10 p.m., she enthuses.
The happiness etched on Bai Sandra’s face is understandable as night-time activities may be ordinary for other cities, but for Cotabato it is a significant development given that in recent years, it has become the reference point of armed conflicts in Central Mindanao. Clashes in nearby towns are always perceived to have happened in the city, since news reports on troubles in the region are datelined Cotabato City.
But Cotabateños, on their own, are making efforts to dispel the negative image of their city. Bai Sandra observes that many people started to stay out late during the Bagumbal festivities, a trade fair mcciki also sponsored in October last year. When mcciki held the 2nd Ramadan Fair in November, the number of merrymakers and even exhibitors significantly increased.
At least 45 exhibitors joined the month-long Ramadan Fair, which opened from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight, while 29 participated in the three-day Bagumbal Fair.
The momentum just kept on going. In less than a month, Cotabateños and residents from nearby towns once again flocked to the City Hall grounds for the Kabunsuan festivities that attracted twice the combined number of people who went to the Bagumbal and Ramadan trade shows.
"The huge crowd shows people’s confidence in the city’s peace and order condition. Cotabateños are yearning for this kind of activities," says City Planning and Development Officer Dong Anayatin.
The wider participation and greater enthusiasm of people augur well for the city, particularly the business community.
The Trade Fair, which is supported by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, drew 70 exhibitors and garnered P2.9 million in sales.
"This is indeed a good opportunity for small businesses to showcase their products, even just for the local market. It would be great if we can attract institutional outlets," says Mohammad Mang, manager of MKM Brassware, which displays percussion instruments like kulintang, agong, gandingan and dabakan and other brasswares.
Mang observes that people from Cotabato itself only became aware that those well-crafted products are Cotabato-made after they saw them on display at the trade show.
"We still have a lot to do in promoting our products. We’ll start by making our fellow Cotabateños aware that we’re producing these goods and later they can be tapped as partner-endorsers," says Mang who, being a sole maker of kulintang in the country, is always busy with orders from schools, gift shops, and other institutional buyers.
But local traders are not only concerned with doing business during the festivities. They also become active participants in making the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival a memorable and grand celebration.
Earlier in the day, mcciki and three other chambers–Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cotabato City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cotabato Chapter)– staged the Guinakit Fluvial Parade, a spectacular re-enactment of the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan who brought Islam to Central Mindanao from Johore, Malaysia in the 14th century.
Eight boats, decked with traditional Maguindanaon adornments like pandalas, pasandalan, bagiuntays in fiery colors, glide on the Rio Grande de Mindanao before thousands of people lining the wharf. The bancas carried cultural performers dancing to the non-stop beat of the kulintang.
Guinakit, a Maguindanaon term referring to an entourage of bancas used by early Muslim leaders when they travel, denotes royalty, solidarity and cooperation. It’s a tradition that is still being practiced when sultans travel or during weddings.
The Metro Cotabato Chamber also offered its space for the exhibit of local artists. Seven young Cotabato-based and two painters from nearby towns showcased their works, ranging from realism to cubism to expressionism.
"We have many talented artists here; some of them remain to be discovered. They have myriad subjects to work on. Cotabato City is the center of culture here in Mindanao. Tradition is very alive here," says Metro Cotabato Chamber president Perfecto Marquez.
Aside from the exhibit, local artists also displayed their creative skills during the street painting contests. Ten-year-old Rossmin Uday of Central Pilot Elementary School, won first prize with her work depicting Cotabato’s beauty, rich resources.
Other crowd favorites were the Kuyog Street Dancing Parade, Crab Race/Eating Contest, Qur’an Reading Competition, Teachers Olympics and Cultural Show, Inaul Fashion Showcase, and Band Battle of Champions.
People behind the festivities agree that its success stems from the close cooperation of the government and private sectors, which pooled their resources to hold the most successful Kabunsuan Festival so far.
"This makes this festival different from any other event. All members of the community are involved. In the business sector, each makes his own contribution to make the festivity a success," says Bai Sandra, beaming with pride. "Everyone wants to be part of creating a positive image of Cotabato City. Image is important in building investors’ confidence."
CPDO head Engr. Anayatin, couldn’t agree more. "The contribution of the private sector, particularly the business groups, is an important factor in this great accomplishment," he says.
With the government working together with the private sector, it won’t be long before Cotabato City reclaims its place as the center of culture and trade of Mindanao, instead of being the reference point for stories of conflict and war.