BARMM, Cotabato City LGU gear up for 2023 Shariff Kabunsuan Festival

A file photo of ornament-clad boats gathered at the Tamontaka River in Kalanganan II, Cotabato City on Dec. 19, 2021 during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival in the Bangsamoro region. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)

COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) and the Cotabato City Government’s Tourism Office are set to jointly spearhead the activities for the upcoming 10-day Shariff Kabunsuan (SK) Festival 2023 from December 12–21, in this city.

The SK Festival is an annual occasion celebrated by the Bangsamoro people in mainland Mindanao every December 19, commemorating the arrival of Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay missionary, along the Rio Grande de Mindanao’s banks to introduce the Islamic faith in the 16th century.

In a December 11 press conference, MTIT Bureau of Tourism (BOT) Director Engr. Marites Manguindra shared that the Bangsamoro Government has collaborated with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to boost tourism in Cotabato City during the SK Festival celebration.

“We wanted that the Guinakit would also have an equity of share in the consciousness of tourists that every time we commemorate the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, we could market it,” Maguindra said.

Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao emphasized that the city local government unit (LGU) continuously exerts efforts in making the yearly celebration special and encourages the Cotabateños and tourists to engage in the annual event.

Additionally, Mayor Matabalao reaffirmed that the Cotabato City LGU, in partnership with the law enforcement authorities, will ensure a peaceful and safe SK Fest 2023.

Aligned with the celebration of the SK Festival, below are the activities, starting tomorrow:

Dec. 12

Grand Opening Parade with the Guinakit Float

Opening of the Agri-Travel Fair
NIYOGosyo Trade Fair and Exhibit with Financing and Marketing Fora

Dec. 13

Clean Up Drive
Opening of the Agri-Travel Fair
NIYOGosyo Trade Fair and Exhibit with Financing and Marketing Fora
Quiz Bee Competition: Military and Uniformed Personnel Edition at the People’s Palace Lobby

Dec. 14

Agri-Travel Fair
NIYOGosyo Trade Fair and Exhibit with Financing and Marketing Fora

Dec. 15

Opening of the Tourism Food Crawl
Opening of the Baseball Tournament
Introduction to Cotabato City’s Culinary Food Heritage
Agri-Travel Fair
Bayok and Kulintang Exhibition

Dec. 16

Tourism Food Crawl
Fun Run (Cotabato City Plaza)
Antangan Art Fair Exhibit; Dance Performance; Fashion Design Competition
Acoustic Band at 5 p.m.
Agri-Travel Fair
Baseball Tournament at CotsU; Hip Hop Dance Competition at Peoples Palace; • Badminton Tournament at Kutawato Badminton Center
Inaul Weaving Visual Art Workshop; Kulintang Ensemble; Dance Performance at Cotabato State University (CSU) Gymnasium

Dec. 17

Familiarization Tour

(Arrival of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators): City Tour in Cotabato

Obstacle Course Race at Children’s Park
Agri-Travel Fair
Heritage Walk Tour at Old City Hall
Antangan Art Fair Exhibit
Dance Performance
Visual Art Workshop
Dance Competition; Brass Casting;
Dance Performance
Baseball Tournament
Badminton Tournament at Kutawato Badminton Center

Youth Camp: Appreciation of Bayok and Kulintang

Badminton Tournament

Tourism Food Crawl

Exploring Unique Christian-Muslim

Food Cuisine

Food Tasting and Cooking Demo

Dec. 18

On-Site Installation / Set-Up of Pandalas and Buntings at Bucana, MB Kalanganan for SK Landmark
Familiarization Tour at MDN and MDS
Agri-Travel Fair
Quran Reading Exhibition at SKCC
Antangan Art Fair Exhibit
Dance Performance
Dance and Music Workshop
Visual Art Workshop
Dance Performance
Fashion Showcase
Masjid/Mosque Book Launch and Talk on Islamic Architecture
Closing Program at CSU Gymnasium
Tourism Food Crawl
Coffee making, tasting, and brewing demo
Kuyog Street Dancing at CSU Grounds
Baseball Tournament at CSU Grounds