Maguindanao renames annual festival over Miss U’s use of inaul
TOURISM • 06:14 AM Fri Jan 13, 2017
1,761
By:
Ali G. Macabalang
The making of inaul malong. (DOT-ARMM)
COTABATO CITY – The provincial
government of Maguindanao has renamed its annual Sagayan festival into inaul fest
in promotion of the Moro fabric, which local organizers of this year’s Miss Universe
pageant have adopted for use as part of the traditional attires of more than 80
competing candidate-coeds.
We’ll have inaul festival, not the
usual Sagayan festival, starting this year, said Ayesha
Mangudadatu-Dilangalen, niece of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and
current regional tourism secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM).
The promotion of inaul, an age-old Moro
fabric produced mainly in Maguindanao and the Lanao region, gained a big boost
after Filipino designers involved in the current Miss Universe pageant decided
to use the colorful textile in the designs of candidates’ traditional attires,
according to Sec. Dilangalen.
Dilangalen made the announcement as
sports enthusiasts opened on Jan. 8 in Buluan town the first Governor’s Cup for
resident Moro basketball players to compete in prelude to the 7th Sagayan
Festival set on Feb. 7-14.
Sagayan, a colorful war dance held
usually on festive occasions in mainland Mindanao’s Moro communities, took the
center stage as official name of the annual Festival launched by the
Maguindanao governance six years ago.
Provincial officials have been very
enthusiastic in the conduct of the renamed festival as the preparatory
activities jived with the sidelights of this year’s Miss Universe pageant,
festival facilitators said.
Our officials especially Governor
Esmael Mangudadatu had assured full support…because he is a known staunch
promoter of massive inaul production and patronage, Eman Aljani told
reporters.
Aljani said the governor and other
Muslim officials were eager to witness the events showcasing the Miss Universe
candidates in traditional attires made of inaul fabrics.
More than 80 candidates are expected to
compete in the world’s most prestigious pageant.
Four of them already arrived in the
country early this week, while the bulk of them enplaned at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) yesterday, according to the Department of Tourism.
Pre-pageant activities will kick off in
Boracay on Jan. 14, followed by Vigan on Jan. 15, Cebu on Jan. 17, Baguio on
Jan. 18, and Batangas and Davao on Jan. 19. A Governor’s Ball will also be held
in Manila on Jan. 16.
The candidates will also be meeting
President Rodrigo Duterte in a courtesy call in Malacañang on Jan. 23. Ali G. Macabalang