Misamis Occidental’s celebration of its 93rd founding anniversary brimmed with ecstatic energy and engrossing colors.
Cities and municipalities cordially showcased their unique cultural roots and what makes them authentic Subanons, through the first-ever Perangat Festival—a cultural extravaganza featuring the proud qualities and history of the Subanon people.
Perangat, derived from the Subanen word ‘p’rangat’, is anchored upon the idea of growing together, and taking the path to success together, hence the province’s official tagline, #AsensoMisamisOccidental. It is a sheer testament to the province’s collective effort to achieve full recovery, after the debilitating impacts of the pandemic on the economy and tourism.
This year, the celebration converges on one special day of grand festivities. This day features a competition that showcases the rich Subanen culture, its pride, and its legacy, which continues to thrive, even as Misamis Occidental embraces the gifts of modernity.
The Perangat Festival competition gathers the finest street dancers from all towns and cities of the province, to showcase their best street dance performance, every second Saturday of November. The festival is practically a festival of all festivals in the province, as it includes the most renowned events in every area.
The Subanen is one of the original cultures that began to thrive in Mindanao, long before the arrival of the Islamic faith to the island. Part of the festival is to embody the pride that is Subanen. It illustrates its cultural gifts not just to the people of Misamis Occidental, but to Mindanao and the whole country.
It was no surprise that most, if not all, of the competing towns and cities, incorporated into their performance’s narrative, the harvest season in the province. Perangat, itself, is a celebration of a bountiful harvest, as it is a celebration of the province’s vibrant cultural heritage. That vibrancy was in full display during the street dance competition, in which 11 of the province’s 11 towns and 3 cities, participated. Vivid colors and oozing energy enliven the province’s celebration of the first-ever Perangat.
Oroquieta swept all other special awards in the city category, while Jimenez bagged three out of four major awards (Best in Props, Best in Costume, Best in Choreography). Don Victoriano won the Best in Musicality trophy. Oroquieta took home a whooping PhP300,000 cash prize for its championship win in the city category, while Jimenez bagged PhP200,000.
A PhP15,000 cash prize was also handed to both Jimenez and Don Victoriano municipalities, for each special award they won. Don Victoriano was the runner-up to Jimenez, while Jaena and Sinacaban, came in 3rd and 4th places, respectively. Calamba municipality also notably won the Best Float competition during the Perangat Float Parade.
For those who would want to come to the province by air, both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, offer cheap flights to Ozamis from both Cebu and Manila.
There is also a direct ferry trip from both Manila and Cebu to the port of Ozamis via 2Go. Travelers can also come by the port of Plaridel. Lite Ferries offer a direct trip from both Cebu and Tagbilaran to the Port of Plaridel. Bus routes also notably link the cities of Ozamis and Oroquieta to multiple major cities in Mindanao.
For more information, you can contact the Misamis Occidental Provincial Tourism Office via misoccprovincialtourism@gmail.com, or by (088) 521 – 5187.
