Tagum - Cultural Activities and Festivities

Cultural Activities and Festivities

There are 15 festivals celebrated in Tagum City, within the initiative of the City Tourism Council. The goal of these festivals is to showcase and develop the skills, talents and capabilities of all sectors in the population, which makes Tagum City the so-called "City of Festivals".

Most notably, Tagum City has been known as the Music Capital of Mindanao for its Musikahan Festival, focusing on musicians of all ages from the different regions of Mindanao and of the whole Philippines, which starts on February, making it "The First Festival of Davao Region". The City also has been the first and the only city in the whole Philippines so far to support the gay community through the Binuhat Festival.

• Musikahan sa Tagum
  • Musikahan Festival in Tagum City is a distinct cultural event that celebrates the Filipino excellence in musical composition, performance and production, the end goal of which it to provide the youth with more opportunities to excel in the Music Industry. The annual festival engenders a vision of a fairer and brighter future for the youth through the enhancement of skills in arts and in building creative pathways for gainful employment specially for the out-of school youth. Last year, through the City Ordinance No. 237, series of 2007, Musikahan sa Tagum Festival is celebrated every February 21 to 27. In 2010, the competitions have reached the national level, catering contestants as far as Ilocos Region. 2011 marks the breakout of the Musikahan Festival in the international scene, as the festival coincides with the city's hosting of the 3rd International Rondalla Festival, with participants for both festivals coming from the Asian, European and American continents.
• Araw ng Tagum
  • Tagum City commemorates its establishment as a city in the annual Araw ng Tagum celebration every March 7. For the 2010 celebrations, the city has prepared a weeklong celebration for the Araw ng Tagum that is a continuation of the celebrations started during the Musikahan and the NSPC hosting.
• Summer Sports Festival (May 15–21)
  • An eco-adventure and urban challenge promoting the advocacy on the call to care our environment through sports in celebration of the Earth Day, Ocean Month, and Environment Month every April, May and June respectively. The festival is held in the month of May. Also part of the festival is the "XTreme Gay-mes", a sports competition for the gay community of Tagum.
• Durian Festival (July 18-August 17)
  • It is a festival celebrated during the month of September up to October that gathers the Durian Growers from the province of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley and convene in the City of Tagum provide and offer the lowest rate of Durian fruits for the consumers. During the festival celebration, several cultural presentations are showcased nightly to give entertainment to the people around taking good times with the Durian fruits.
• Binuhat Festival (July 20–26)
  • The City Tourism Council had initiated the Binuhat Festival designed for all the gays, called by Tagumeños as "Binuhat" or "Creations", from any point in Mindanao. Binuhat Festival is one of the festivals being prepared thoroughly since the start of the year in order to give enjoyment to the people and the opportunity to the gays to show their talents and skills in all sort of activities prepared for them.
• Kaimonan Festival (October 10)
  • The word "kaimonan" means gathering. Kaimonan Festival is a gathering of the four dominant tribes in Tagum City, Mansaka, Mandaya, Kalagan and Dibabaon to celebrate a bountiful harvest and to give thanks to their God known as "Magbabaya". This celebration showcasing different rituals, tribals songs and dances such as Courtship "Pagkinarimay", Wedding "Pagbaroy", Birth "Pagka-otaw", Abduction " Pagkamang sang Utaw", Rescue "Pagluwas, Pangapog "Offering" and War dance "Pagpangayaw". Kaimonan Festival has started five years ago since 2003. It is celebrated every 10th day of the month of October. This is in accordance with the Republic Act 8371 known as IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) Law that upholds, promote, develop and preserve the culture and tradition of the Indigenous People as reflected in chapter 6 section 29 of the said law.
• Pakaradjan Festival (October 29-November 2)
  • Its a unique and special gathering of dominant Muslim tribes in Tagum City, such as the Ka'gans (original settlers), Maranaos, Maguindanaos, Iranons and Tausogs showcasing their cultural talents in playing Kulintang (music instrument) and traditional dances with a common goal of preserving and promoting their beliefs and traditionss. It is a celebration of music, dances and cultural presentation with the beat and rhythm of Kulintang, Dobakan and Agong.
• Indayog sa Tagum Dance Congress Festival
  • A festival gathering of dance performers, choreographers, directors and educators from all over Mindanao to celebrate the dance arts and culture ranging from traditional, folk to contemporary expressions and scenario and shall features performances, competitions and lecture-demonstrations.
• Halal Food Festival
  • A showcase of the Muslim delicacies prepared through the right Halal rituals and rules.
• Feast of Christ the King Celebrations (3rd Sunday of November)
  • In celebration of Tagum City's patron, the Christ the King, the celebrations last for three days, starting in the Triduum until the Feast Day, which falls on the third Sunday of November, the last Sunday in the Catholic Ordinary Time before Advent.
• Christmas Celebrations (December)
  • In preparation of Christmas, the City Government of Tagum prepares decor-attractions for Tagumeños and its visitors to adore and behold, such as lanterns, lights and facades. The climax of these decor-attractions is the Christmas tree in Freedom Park. Each year, the design and the height of the tree varies; in 2006, Tagum City recorded the tallest Christmas tree in the Philippines with a height of 153 ft, and in 2007, the Christmas tree was uniquely designed after the seal of the City of Tagum. 2009's Christmas tree was a reprise of 2006's design. while 2010's was of a six-sided "parol" tree.

Culminating the celebrations is the grand, 30-minute Fireworks Display at Magugpo East, near the National Highway, where Tagumeños and residents from nearby localities, especially those from Davao City, flock to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Musicians, mostly pop and classical, from across the region also hold a concert hours before the countdown. This has become a tradition in Tagum that attracts tourists every year.