Cagayan de Oro welcomed the return of its month-long Higalaay Festival on Thursday with a celebration that brought together the city’s indigenous heritage, farming communities, and local traditions.
The festivities began with a traditional Higaonon ritual near the Cagayan River, where leaders of the Indigenous People (IP) offered prayers in their native language as the city officially opened the celebration.
Keeping Indigenous Traditions Alive
The opening ritual highlighted the role of the Higaonon community in the city’s cultural identity. Traditional prayers were offered to IP deities, including those believed to protect the river and influence the weather.
Beyond marking the start of the festivities, the ceremony served as a reminder of the indigenous traditions woven into Cagayan de Oro’s history and identity.
Celebrating Farmers and Local Products
The spotlight then shifted to the city’s farming communities with the opening of Fiesta sa Kaumahan, a major Higalaay event that brings together farmers from hinterland barangays to showcase and sell their agricultural products and other local goods.
Mayor Rolando Uy said the celebration should create opportunities for everyone, particularly communities that often receive less attention.
“We will give opportunities to everybody because we don’t want anyone left behind on this occasion,” Uy said.
The event also provides a platform for local farmers to reach more consumers and showcase the products of Cagayan de Oro’s rural communities.
53 Events on the Higalaay Calendar
Higalaay Festival traces its roots to the city’s Catholic fiesta honoring its patron saint, St. Augustine. It eventually took on different names, including Kagay-an Festival and Karo-Tawo Festival, as the celebration evolved through administrative rebranding and local legislative support.
This year’s festivities feature 53 events lined up through Sept. 3, ranging from the Balik-Sigla Fun Run and Miss Higalaay pageant to a battle of the bands, mixed martial arts tournament, dragon boat race, float parade, and grand fireworks display.
The month-long celebration will also feature One CDO Wellness Day, a pet show, and a film festival, giving residents and visitors more ways to take part in the city’s biggest annual festivities.
