by Lou Ellen Antonio
LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (PIA)–This town celebrated its 63rd founding anniversary, January 23, through Hudyaka sa Lubi (Merriment of Coconuts) Festival, highlighting the town’s thriving coconut industry.
Two years after the onset of the pandemic, contingents from eight barangays once again competed in the festival dance and festival queen contests, featuring their creative costumes made from coconut parts.
Mayor Randy Macapil said that the residents’ resourcefulness contributed to the economic growth of their town. He also emphasized that the unity of Muslims and Christians is the key to progress.
“We became increasingly resourceful, which made us capable of providing for the basic needs of people and providing basic infrastructure to sustain economic growth,” he said.
Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, the representative for Lanao del Norte’s 1st District, also came to the event. He said that he is putting development projects in the town first because it is the gateway to the province.
“Itong pinakamaliit na municipality ng Lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte na naging priority ng congressman ng 1st district, dahil ang lungsod ng Linamon ay window ng lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte,” he said.
(This smallest municipality of the province of Lanao del Norte became the priority of the congressman of the 1st district because the town of Linamon is the window of the province of Lanao del Norte)
Contingents from Barangay Samburon bagged the P70,000 grand prize for the festival dance competition, followed by Barangay Poblacion with a prize of P50,000, and Barangay Bosque, which won a P30,000 cash prize. Barangay Bosque also bagged the Best in Costume award, while Barangay Samburon grabbed the Best in Choreography and Best in Street Dancing awards.
The festival queen of Barangay Samburon was crowned as the Hudyaka sa Lubi Festival Queen, bagging awards such as Ms. Photogenic, Best in Production Number, and Best in Festival Costume. Meanwhile, the festival queen of Barangay Poblacion finished second and was awarded Best in Introductory Show and Best in Solo Performance. The festival queen of Barangay Magoong was declared the 3rd placer. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
####
