3rd Grand Perangat Festival: A showcase of culture, unity in MisOcc

Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental

December 9, 2024

The festival, marking the 95th founding anniversary of Misamis Occidental, featured 9 contingents from across Mindanao competing for grand prizes in a colorful celebration of culture and community. (Photo courtesy of PGMO)

The term “Perangat,” derived from the Subanen word for “progress,” reflects the province’s continued journey towards development and prosperity, in line with the “Asenso Misamis Occidental” vision.

The 3rd Grand Perangat Festival lit up the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Complex (MOPAC) Grounds in Oroquieta City with a vibrant display of street dancing and dance showdowns.

The festival, marking the 95th founding anniversary of Misamis Occidental, featured 9 contingents from across Mindanao competing for grand prizes in a colorful celebration of culture and community.

Dave T. Urbano, a dancer from the Tangub City contingent, whose group participated in the competition, expressed gratitude for the support from local leaders, saying, “Wala mi ga-expect sa among mga kauban ug dancers nga makuha mi ani nga kadaogan. Dako kaayo mi’g pasalamat kay Mayor Ben, especially sa atong working Gov. Henry S. Oaminal, sa iyang dakong tabang sa mga kabatan-onan dinhi sa Misamis Occidental.”

(We did not expect that our team and dancers would achieve this victory. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Ben, especially to our hardworking Governor Henry S. Oaminal, for his tremendous support for the youth here in Misamis Occidental.)

The 3rd Grand Perangat Festival lit up the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Complex (MOPAC) Grounds in Oroquieta City with a vibrant display of street dancing and dance showdowns. (Photo courtesy of PGMO)

Zamboanga Sibugay took home the championship in both the street dancing and dance showdown categories, winning a grand prize of P2.1 million. Other winners included Oroquieta City (P1.6 million), Dipolog City (P1.1 million), Misamis Occidental District I (P850,000), and Misamis Occidental District II (P600,000).

In an interview, Dr. Maria Agnes Rublico, president of Aim High College Inc., praised the leadership of Gov. Henry Oaminal, noting the province’s impressive progress.

“I would like to thank Gov. Henry Oaminal for this activity. Because of this, we had the chance to showcase our schools. Misamis Occidental is now very progressive compared to before. You are truly living out your slogan, “Asenso Na,” because you are in the right hands—leaders who genuinely care for the people. You are steadily reaching your goal of continuous improvement for the betterment of the community, year after year.”

Senator Imee Marcos, Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, and DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumalon graced the event, which Oaminal led.

“This year’s grand Perangat Festival is an upscale version of last year’s festival, as we have opened the competition to contingents from outside the province of Misamis Occidental, which is the first time in the history of any festival in the province,’’ Oaminal said.

Villar hailed the festival as a model of unity and cultural preservation, urging other regions to follow suit.

Marcos also congratulated the province for its growth and beautiful celebrations, noting how the Perangat Festival reflects not just the achievements of the past year but also the bright future of Misamis Occidental.

As the festivities wrapped up, Oaminal said the 3rd Grand Perangat Festival proved to be not just a celebration of the province’s rich culture but also a testament to the spirit of unity and progress that defines Misamis Occidental, Asenso na. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)