OTHER INFO/EXPLANATION:

Let’s now proceed to the Festivals in CARAGA Region, but first of all why do we
celebrate festivals? So, we celebrate it to promote each province’s patron saint or most
known products, cinecelebrate din natin ito bilang pasasalamat sa mga patron sa mga
masaganang biyaya.

NALIYAGAN FESTIVAL OF AGUSAN DEL SUR

First is this Naliyagan Festival of Agusan Del Sur, basically naliyagan means the
chosen one. Ginaganap ito tuwing June 12 hanggang June 17 so it is a week-long
festival. At pinagdiriwang ito ng mga Manobo bilang dedikasyon sa kanilang tribal
leader na si Datu Lipus Makapandong. Furthermore, the festival, which began in 1993
under the late Gov. Democrito O. Plaza's administration. And ang highlights ng festival
na to is pinapakita yung culture ng mga indigenous people via song and dance, native
goods, ethnic games, at iba't ibang paligsahan sa palakasan and some special events.

KAHIMUNAN FESTIVAL OF BUTUAN CITY

Second festival is Kahimunan Festival of Butuan City, kahimunan also known as
the full moon festival and it means to gather. It also refers to a series of rituals
performed at the start of the planting season among Agusan's lumadnon, and by the
way lumadnon means native at eto yung mga taong non-muslim or non-christian,
although the orientation of their cultural developments appears to be toward the Muslim
groups according to Jocano (hokano ata pag pronounce). Moreover, this festival is
strongly associated with the Santo Niño and chanting, singing, playing indigenous
musical instruments such as gimbor (drums), gong, and bamboo percussions such as
kalatong/karatong and kotik are part of the rite.
And just like the naliyagan festival, ang kahimunan ay week-long din at
ginaganap tuwing 3rd week of January at kalimitang pumupunta dito is yung mga deboto
at turista. Furthermore, the annual Kahimunan Festival was founded in 1987 by Father
Juanito Belino, the first parish priest of Santo Niño Parish in Barangay Libertad, Butuan
City, where a Santo Niño Diocesan Shrine is also located.
KALIGUAN FESTIVAL OF CAGWAIT IN SURIGAO DEL SUR
Next is Kaliguan Festival of Cagwait (kagwa-it) in Surigao Del Sur, the
term "Kaliguan" refers to a site for a nice bath and appreciation for a wonderful gift and
just like the previous festival, it is also a week-long and it occurs tuwing June 21-25.
Ang Kaliguan ay isang pagdiriwang bilang parangal kay St. John the Baptist, and the
festival is highlighted by search for Perlas ng Kaliguan beauty pageant, beach dancing,
sports, and cultural event, which is kalimitang ginaganap sa white beach at pumupunta
din dito yung mga kalapit na municipalities and cities.

BONOK-BONOK MARADJAW KARADJAW FESTIVAL

Last is, Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw festival in Surigao City, this festival is
an award-winning cultural-religious celebration, including ang street dance parade na
nagpapakita ng mga katutubong kuwento at pamumuhay ng Mamanwa Tribe, and for
your information, the term Mamanwa means “First Forest Dwellers”, derived from “man”
which means (first) and “banwa” means (forest), so basically, they are the Aeta that
lives in the northeastern provinces of Surigao and Agusan.
Cinecelebrate ito dahil sa pagbibigay-pugay kay St. Nicholas which is the city's
patron saint. Moreover, "Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw" means simply "Rain
Showers, All the Best!”. Ang festival din na to ay nag rereflect sa Surigaonons' rich
cultural legacy at matatag na pagtitiwala sa Diyos. At ginaganap ito tuwing September
9.