Glan isn’t only known for its clean and clear white sand beaches, the municipality is also rich in culture and... coconuts and is dubbed the “Coconut Queen of the South". Hence, The Lubi-lubi Festival, which is designed to celebrate the many uses of the coconut in homage to Sta. Catalina de Alexandria. Which also coincides with the municipalities 102nd founding anniversary.
The 17th Lubi-Lubi Festival sa Glan kicked off on October 4, 2016, with a thanksgiving mass at the Rizal Park, along with the inauguration of the CCTV & streetlights around the plaza, led by Mayor Tata Yap and Vice Mayor Vivien Yap, along with Glans local officials and locals.
Through out the week, people from all over Glan, gather to the town plaza, with non-stop events and festivities such as the Tour Town Glan Festival of Talents and Bazaar. The Bazaar which is open the whole week long, consisted of 7 booths, among them are from The Great Glan Gourmet Getaway group and local schools. The event is the brainchild of Glans tourism officer Mam Lodar Escobillo. The booths featured local delicacies, handicrafts highlighting the many many uses and by-products of coconut.
As for the Talents, the Sarangani DTI conducted and sponsored a local handicrafts training for students, aiming to develop their skills and match the academe to the local business sector. A chess tournament by Congressman Roel Pacquiao’s, hip hop dance competition, poster making contests and many more.
The festival doesn’t only celebrate their abundance of coconut, their locals talents but also their heritage. The festival advocates Municipal Senior Citizen’s Week, “Hudyaka sa Kadalanan” which was spearheaded by the DSWD, to promote their rights, raise and address their issues, remind them of their privileges with emphasis on the important role that they play in nation building.
On the same day, Glanians also celebrated IP Day. Cultural dances, rituals and contests in various traditional Blaan games. The LGU of Glan recognizes the constitutional mandate to recognize and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) within the framework of national unity and development.
October 6, 2016, Would Lubi-Lubi festival be complete without a Coco Culinary Competition? 3 schools participated on the event which was judged and sponsored by Gerardo's School of Culinary Arts.
Night came and the spotlights flashed across the stage, as 10 candidates graced the stage all vying for the title of Mutya ng Glan 2016.
The following day, Oct 7, the day started and ended with sports events such as the Tennis tournament during day time, and by night the and Barangay Basketball championships.
Day 5, Oct 8, Probably the most awaited event was the Street Dancing Competition, and by 12nn it took the streets of Glan, as 8 contingents from Glan, Gensan and even Davao del Sur danced their way for the championship title, that comes with 300k grand prize . Colourful costumes, huge smiles and movements painted the pavements during the parade. Soon after the parade was the Drum and Lyre competition, followed by the Street Dance Competition.
The grandstand was filled with spectators, bearing the heat, all to support their
bets. Among them is special guest DILG Sec. Mike Sueno. All the performances were breath taking. But there can only be one champion, and Landan National High School of Polomolok, South Cotabato was it. They won 2-years in a row! Glan Central Elementary School SPED Center, got 1st place and Sagayen National High School, as the 3rd.
That night, for the culmination, Aegis rocked the park, and was followed by a jaw dropping fireworks display.
Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @mskyriemoon for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.
Glan isn’t only known for its clean and clear white sand beaches, the municipality is also rich in culture and... coconuts and is du...
