TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Catigbian rises in jubilation this week as the town and its residents stir for the town’s 76th Foundation Celebration and 20th Katigbawan Festival.
Set in a week-long revelry, the foundation day activities feature governance, culture and history, investment, economy and tourism of the town, all embodied in the Katigbawan, the festival that has been institutionalized to be the omnibus carrier of the town’s vision.
“Catigbian is a prime agricultural and ecotourism hub with disaster resilient empowered and morally upright citizenry, driven by a responsive governance in an economically stable and green environment, and the local leadership has identified activities and projects that support the vision, and Katigbawan happens to be that embodiment,” explains Catigbian Information Officer Cleeford John Rulida, at the recent Kapihan sa PIA.
Katigbawan comes from coined words: katigbi, a grass that grew abundantly in town, kabawan or the animal auction market which the town is known for, tigbaw or the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites, as the town is also known for its cave systems, he shared.
Started in 2005, the Catigbian Foundation took on a different vibe when the Katigbawan became the anniversary highlight.
Since then mayor Roberto Salinas, Virgilio Lurot, Elizabeth Pace and incoming mayor Benjie Oliva have enhanced and improved on the idea of the festival that has since involved the participation of all the town barangays.
The biggest highlight since then have been the introduction of the streetdancing’s signature move: the carabao dance, which has become a mainstay in all dancing contingents during the Katigbawan
With this, this year’s festival offers sports tourism events in the Foundation Katigbawan Fun Run, Badminton Games, Carabao Parade, AgriFair and farmer’s Day as well as heritage and cultural events.
Among the first towns to establish an honest to goodness food bazaar that showcases town products and produce, Catigbian, which has enacted an ordinance on vegetable planting and fruit trees for all its school graduates, has since supplied public market days with locally grown vegetables.
For the food bazaar, Rulida said around 30 participants are joining the food market that stretches as the Katigbawan nightly events reel off.
Itself a proud venue for the already getting famous MCSA corner, the food bazaar here has also seen local delicacies offered during the night markets.
Rulida also said the institutionalization of the Food Bazaara nd the Tabo sa Katigbawan as an integral part of the foundations days, has organized local entrepreneurs who are now active in their participation in the foundations days.
And to bring the local produce to the mainstream, Tabo sa Katigbawan: an agrifair fills farmer’s booths on Farmers’ Day on Monday, as the celebration picks up the festivities with the famous early morning Carabao Parade.
“You will see carabaos dressed for the occasion, embellished according to the creativity of their owners,” Rulida added.
That same day, farmers are in for technodemo sessions, farm technology presentations and animal health clinics.
“Foundation Day, June 17, Catigbianons clustered into 6 groups take to the streets to the beat with the Katigbawan Streetdancing Festival competition, where Triple Union, Alegria and Bongbong defends their 2024 streetdancing crown,” Rulida went on.
With six high schools and a college in town, the competition is going to be close, as Poblacion cluster would also be vying to bring back the trophy to the town center.
Katigbawan night events also feature live bands and performances: June 14 (SK Night Party with Katigbi Roots and DJ REK), June 15 (Congressman Edgar Chatto Night with Murph J Band), June 16 (BnWC Night with Cup Noodles Band), June 17 (LGU Night with Inun-onan Band), June 18 (DepED Night with DepEd band) and June 19 (Benjie Oliva Night with Brownbuds Band). (PIABohol)
