ILOILO CITY (PIA) – – This year’s Tubong-Tubong Festival of Tubungan, Iloilo which will take place from April 29 to May 1, 2025 will pay tribute to the unsung Tubunganon heroes and their contribution for the town’s independence.
“It is time we honor the contribution and the significant roles played by our unsung men and women in the freedom that we enjoy today,” said Marlyn Tagudar, Tubungan Municipal Tourism Officer as the annual festivity will also coincide with the town’s 87th year of emancipation.
Tubungan, located in the southwestern part of the province of Iloilo, is once a part of the municipality of Guimbal.
On May 1, 1938, President Manuel L. Quezon issued Executive Order No. 143 declaring Tubungan as an independent municipality.
Tagudar said a unique presentation depicting the events that led to the issuance of the declaration of their Independence will highlight the opening ceremonies on April 29.
The local government unit led by Mayor Roquito Tacsagon will hold a candle lighting to honor the fallen heroes at the town’s open field.
Other activities during the day include the Street Dance Competition and the awarding of winners for the Tubong Awards: Search for Top Performing Barangays and Enhanced SGLG-B at the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium.
To bring the government services and programs closer to Tubunganons, Serbisyong Tubong: Caravan of Government Services and Job Fair will mark the second day (April 30) of the festivity.
As of April 15, some 14 companies, both local and overseas, have confirmed their participation in the job fair offering around 3,184 job vacancies. The caravan and job fair will be held from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the municipal covered gym.
On the evening of April 30, candidates for the Search for Miss Tubong-Tubong 2025 will showcase their beauty, poise and talent adding more excitement to the annual event.
As part of its efforts to further enrich the local history, culture and tradition, a Tubong Dance Drama Competition was organized by the local government unit on May 1.
Other activities for the three-day celebration include a showdown of mini sounds, Tubong Negosyo Awards, fireworks display and Sinadya and Foam Party, among others.
As a pre-activity, a Farmer’s Day marked by the opening of the Agri-Trade fair will also be held on April 28 at the Tubungan Multi-Purpose Gym.
Agricultural produce and its by-products, flowers, delicacies and other native products from local farmers, cooperatives and organizations will be displayed in the trade fair.
Now in its 24th year, Tagudar said the celebration is guided by the theme “Tubong Tubong: Pagpasidungog sa Aton mga Kamal-aman, Bahandi nga Panublion kang mga Kabataan”.
“The theme emphasizes the importance of recognizing our young people as inheritors and guardians of our culture and tradition passed down from our elders,” said Tagudar.
Tubong-Tubong Festival comes from the Hiligaynon word “Tubong” which means “to contribute” or “to chip-in”. (AAL/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)
