Tnalak Festival is considered as one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Mindanao. Held annually from July 12-18, it is a commemoration of the founding anniversary of South Cotabato and celebrates the province's bounty and culture.
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| Catriona Gray experienced Tnalak Festival last July 2018, few months before she was crowned as Miss Universe.Photo by Anthony Dela Cruz |
Every year, the Tnalak Festival becomes more colorful and exciting with lots of events and highlights that will surely make one's visit worthwhile. Here is our list of suggested things to do while in South Cotabato during this festive season:
Watch the Opening Day Parade
- To be held on July 13, feel the fiesta vibe as different sectors from different municipalities participate in the thematic parade and float competition. This will be followed by the Opening Ceremony at the South Cotabato Sports Complex
Snap Photos of the Bahay-Kubos
- The Bahay-Kubo and Product Display Competition is also one of the highlights of the annual Tnalak Festival. Participated by all the LGUs in the province, the activity showcases the best of each towns from their agricultural produce to tourist attractions. Taking a selfie or groufie is definitely allowed.
Food Trip!
- South Cotabato is also a foodie heaven! And the place-to-go for food trips during Tnalak Festival is the Tnalak Food Garden infront of the South Cotabato Sports Complex. Have a taste of local dishes being offered by over twenty (20) food establishments from all over the province.
This year, don't miss the food offerings by FB Highlands, Punta Isla Lake Resort and Pinagyaw sa Maguindanaw.
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| Ube Jam. Must-try at FB Highlands at Tnalak Food Garden |
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| Chicharong Tilapia by Punta Isla Lake Resort |
For coffee and pasta lovers, the newly-reopened Refuge Cafe at Jose Abad Santos Street (beside Ching Restaurant) is one of our highly-recommended.
Go Shopping!
- Shop 'til you drop as almost all of the shopping malls in City of Koronadal offers huge discounts during the festival week. Also visit the Trade Fair and Exhibit and don't forget to shop for locally-made souvenir items.
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| Must-haves. Tnalak-inspired dolls by Avery Dolls |
Party with the locals
- South Cotabateños are good at partying too! The Alunan Avenue in City of Koronadal comes alive every night during Tnalak Festival. The nightly Tnalak Strip with celebrity bands and performers, and the Tnarock event on July 18 will surely make partygoers satisfy their cravings for an epic night out!
Visit the Dreamweavers in Lake Sebu
- Take a day tour to Lake Sebu and meet the "dreamweavers". Learn their culture and witness how the Tboli women weaves the Tnalak at the Lang Dulay Weaving Center.
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| Tnalak, is a weaving tradition of the Tboli people of South Cotabato. Tnalak cloth are woven from abacá fibers. The traditional female weavers are known as dream weavers, because the pattern of the tnalak cloth are inspired by their dreams. |
Other interesting places to visit in Lake Sebu includes the Seven Falls (must-try the zipline adventure), Sebul Farm, the Lotus Garden, Punta Isla Lake Resort, and the School of Living Tradition (SLT) by Maria Todi.
Watch talented South Cotabateños perform
- Watch talented South Cotabato performers compete against each other in events such as the hiphop, dancesports and cheerleading competitions,the TESDA Skills Competition, LGBTQ Night and the Mutya ng South Cotabato pageant. Local talents are also expected to perform in cultural shows and in the nightly Tnalak Strip at Alunan Avenue.
The Tnalak Festival Tri-People Grand Parade
- On July 18, celebrate with South Cotabateños their Founding Anniversary by witnessing the Tnalak Festival Tri-People Grand Parade. Come early at Alunan Avenue in City of Koronadal for the Street Dancing Competition. Bring with you your camera as nine (9) contingents from different towns in South Cotabato will compete and showcase the rich cultures of the Maguindanaons, the Tboli and Blaan tribes, and the Christian Settlers in the province through their colorful costumes, dances and music. This will be followed by the Anniversary Program and the Street Dancing Showdown at the South Cotabato Sports Complex.
Side Trips!
Other places to visit in South Cotabato during Tnalak Festival includes Mariano's Blooming Agri Tourism Park and the Fruit Park in Tupi, and the popular Apareja Buko Halo-Halo in Brgy. Saravia City of Koronadal.
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| Sunflower Farm at Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park |
