Midsayap Halad Festival: Its history and essence

Members:

Jonner C. Oroc

Filjan Miles V. Intes

Jessa M. Ejorcadas

Kristine V. Tamesis

Honey Mae N. Labetaria

Krizia Marie D. Villajuan

Ana Rose R. Adtoon

Midterm Requirement

Instructor: Julien Posas

I. Introduction
 Midsayap was derived from a native term which means (Mid) Center and (Sayap) Hat.

Midsayap means a hat at the center – just like a hill centrally located at the Municipality

which slopes through the plains in a shape of a hat. Other version relates that Midsayap came

from a Muslim term which means “person wearing a hat”. From 1912 to 1926, Midsayap was

then a district of Dulawan and Pikit. Originally, Midsayap was inhabited by Muslims from

the descendants of Sultan Ali Bayao from the lineage of the great Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat I.

The seat of their Sultanate was established at Libungan Torreta (now part of Pigcawayan).

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 66 dated November 25, 1936, Midsayap was created as

a separate municipality. On January 1, 1937, it was inaugurated with the late Lorenzo

Gonzales as the first appointed municipal mayor. Midsayap started with 71 barangays. Later,

it was trimmed down to 42 when Libungan was separated from Midsayap in 1936. At

present, Midsayap has 57 barangays. Midsayap is the largest municipality in the province of

North Cotabato. Midsayap is populated mainly by Maguindanaos and as well as multi-

cultural mix of peoples from the influx of migrants from Luzon and the Visayas, drawn to

Mindanao's reputation as a promising haven for settlers.

Roman Catholics comprise the 50 percent of the Municipal population. This is seconded

by Islam believers which is 31 percent of the population. Other sects that compose the 19

percent of the population are the Protestant groups – UP, SDA, INC, Baptist, Full Gospel,

Aglipayan, Jehovah’s Witnesses and others. Midsayap is predominantly a Cebuano speaking

the Muslims which is 34 percent and Ilonggo 22 percent of the total population. Ilocanos are

only 7 percent. There are also Tagalog, Leyteños, Boholanos and Highlanders (Manobo and

Tiruray). Muslim populated barangays are those near the boundaries of Midsayap and

Dulawan specifically Tumbras, Kapinpilan, Kadingilan, Mudseng, Lomopog, Kadigasan,

Damatulan, Malingao, Palongoguen, Sambulawan, Upper Labas, Lower Labas and Tugal.

Ilocano dominated barangays are Agriculture, Salunayan and Patindeguen. Other barangays

are Cebuano speaking areas.

Midsayap celebrates its annual patronal fiesta every 3rd Sunday of January in honor of

its patron saint, Sto. Nino. To give back the gratitude for the things they have received,

Midsayapeños make offerings to our greatest Provider. This such offering is very common

here in our Municipality of Midsayap, it is known as Halad Festival. The word "Halad"

comes from a local Cebuano term which means "offering" to the town patron saint Señor Sto.

Niño.

I. Discussion
 Annually, Midsayap celebrates its yearly Patronal Fiesta every 3rd Sunday of January in

honor of its town patron saint, Sto. Niño. Among its highlights are colorful street dancing and

parade competition popularly known as the “Halad sa Sto. Niño Festival” as part of its grand

fiesta celebration, novena, procession, agro-trade fair, motorcross cycling competition , civic

parade, search for mutya ng Midsayap, and among others not to mention is the sumptuous

food preparations of almost every household of Midsayapiños.

Objectives of Halad Foundation

According to the press-conference for Halad Festival held in Hill Park, every year

someone takes the lead as Halad Chairperson and this year chairperson is Mrs. Enedina G.

Cacabelos. They also discussed about their Halad objectives which is to develop Halad as an

institutional activity, to organize and strengthen the local tourism, to support the popularity

celebrated patronal fiesta of Midsayap, to serves as a venue to express thanksgiving to the

lord, and to create an atmosphere promoting Midsayap as a progressive and peaceful place

and a good place for investment opportunities.

The Challenges and Support

For the people of Midsayap , it’s an activity worthy to be proud of. But according to the

Chairperson it’s not that easy . The Halad Committees prepare for at least six months and

meet almost monthly to monitor the progress of its preparations. Aside from the voluntary

services and sacrifices of individual Committee Members, the Local Government Units.

LGU’s in the PPALMA Alliance (Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan)

have significantly became partners in its success. The Halad Management gives due

recognition and appreciation to the Local Government Unit of Midsayap, the Department of

Tourism XII, Sponsors, Benefactors Halad Participants, Volunteers, Working Committees,

and everybody who contributes their time, efforts, ant talents.

What makes Halad so popular?

The Halad became popular in 1997 when team under the Eramis Clan and Friends

participated in the national competition of Sinanto Niño Festival in Intramuros, Manila. Our

very own Halad won as the National Champion besting other well-known teams from all over

the country. Again, in April 2003, Halad team represented by the Alamada National High

School, won won as the champion during Aliwan Best of Festival at the Star City, Manila

with the cash prize of one million. On the same year in December, Halad team competed and

again won the first palce in the Aliwan Christmas Festival in Manila with another one million
cash prize. These recognitions made Halad famous for its superb performances and that

proves Halad Festval in Midsayap to be getting bigger and better.

Novena Masses

Before the Halad Festival the Catholic Church conducted novena mass for nine

consecutive days every 5:30 pm in the afternoon. Novena came from the Latin word novern

which means nine. This nine days novena is also a Catholic tradition as a sign of devotion to

our Almighty God. Novena Mass starts with a novena prayer then followed by the mass.

During the mass, there is an offertory, concentration, communion and the final blessing.

Indakan sa Kadalanan, Karosa, Float and Drum and Lyre

The annual Halad Festival Indakan sa Kadalanan started off with the presentation of

Local Government Units headed by Hon. Romeo Arana. It was then followed with the

releasing of balloon attached with poster that marked the celebration of Halad Festival 2020.

There are a total of 23 participants divided into different category. There are eight

participants in the Indakan sa Kadalanan, four of them are from the church based category

and the other four are from the open category. In the Karosa competition, there are six

participants. In the Float competition, there are five participants. In the drum and lyre, which

is not a contest, there are four participants. The colorful Indakan sa Kadalanan began with
the church based category started by the Upper Bulanan and followed by Sadaan District,

Salunayan District and Poblacion District. It was followed by the open category participated

by the Looy Integrated Technical Vocational High School from South Upi, Tuguranao High

School, NDMC and Sarilikha National High School. The street was very lively and was like a

parade of distinctive beaming colors. After the street dancing, the parade of Karosa contained

with bountiful amount of agricultural products such as corn, banana, rice stalks, different

vegetables and the like offered to the patron saint Sr. Sto. Niño. The event was participated

by NDMC, SAYAP Bonsai, Sto. Niño Parish Knights of the Altar, MMR Farm, PCIC and

DPWH. The parade of Karosa showed how blessed the town of Midsayap is in terms of

agricultural goods. It was then followed by the Float competition participated by NDMC,

MIDSAYAP VENDORS, Anecito T. Pesante Sr. Memorial Hospital Co., Tapawarma and

REACT Midland. Lastly, the participation of Drum and Lyre from Agriculture Elementary

School, Dilangalen National High School, Villarica High School and Midsayap Pilot

Elementary School.

Mutya ng Midsayap

Philippine is a big fan of International beauty pageants, this unique culture is also
manifested through local scene. Everytime there is a fiesta in barangays or town, there is

beauty pageant. Pageants still are a stepping stone to empower women, and it is way for

women to promote their advocacies and inspire women to be confident and strong. It is an

avenue for women to be powerful, influential, and to have a voice.

Mutya ng Midsayap was held to Notre Dame of Midsayap, all of the members of the

Parish are there, organizers and more. The pageant starts at 7:30 in the evening and the host

of the pageant was Mr. From the Davao city. The pageant starts with the production number

of the eight candidates which are Candidate 1 Erika Jane Calibara, Candidate 2 Julien Jean

Fresnoza, Candidate 3 Reza Mae Mahinay, Candidate 4 Reinelle Rama Pesante, Candidate 5

Janae Desiree Duguil, Candidate 6 Hannie Lie Torres, Candidate 7 Joelie Anne Malinao, and

last Candidate 8 Henzy Bingil. After the production number was the playsuit attire showing

their sexy curves and body shapes, all of them are confident with their bodies wearing their

beautiful smiles. The pageant has two rounds: Preliminary round and the Final Round. The

Preliminary round has the awarding of Minor Awards and a question and answer. The type

of the Q and A is, every candidate will bring their questions to be answered by their candidate

partners which were chosen by the host. After that, the top 5 will be announced which are

Ms. Calibara, Ms. Fresnoza, Ms. Pesante, Ms. Duguil and Ms. which can continue to the

next round. After the Preliminary round is a Final Round, they have the same questions but

they were required to wear a headphone. The top 3 were Candidates 1, 2, and 3 and the 2 nd
Runner up is Ms. Reinelle Pesante which is also Ms. Hope , 1 st Runner Up is Ms, Erika

Calibara and the Mutya ng Midsayap is Ms. Julien Jean Fresnoza.

Showdown

Annually, the townsfolk of Midsayap prepares for its colorful street dancing and parade

competition popularly known as the “Halad sa Sto. Nino Festival” as a part of it’s grand

fiesta celebration, which is held every third Sunday of January. The halad festival is

celebrated in honor of the town’s patron saint Senor Sto. Nino.Groups from various towns in

Cotabato Province as well as neighboring towns of the Maguindanao Province, troop

annually to Midsayap to participate in the much celebrated contest, which is recognized by

the Department of tourism as a major festival.

For the open category there are four (4) competitors who joined the said activity. They

gave their very best to get the awards that will make their Municipality proud. Despite of

those sleepless nights they performed very gracefully that gives joy to the people who

witnessed the event. For all of the competitors, luckily the Grupong Sayap, Notre Dame of

Midsayap College got the first place with an award of 300,000 cash prize, followed by the

Looy Integrated Technical Vocational High School of South Upi, Maguindanao representing

Grupong Sulagad they are awarded also as Best in Musical Group and Best in Costume with

the total cash prize of 210,000. The third place got by the Tribong Taguranawon of
Taguranao High School Matalam also awarded as Best in Street Dancing with a prize of

150,000. Lastly, the Grupong Kandungan of Datu Odin, Sinsuat, Maguindanao got the

consolation prize of 100,000.

The competition ended very peacefully that everyone went to their home or

Municipalities very proud..

II. Conclusion

Therefore, Midsayap is blessed in many ways; a notable peaceful and progressive place
who are very cooperative, united and God-loving.With all the blessings and guidance, and to

express one’s gratitude and love to Sto. Niño annually they celebrate Halad Festval.This

annual celebration gathers the potentials of Midsayap in terms of talents and skills, and

further boast the image of Midsayap as a place rich of culturally and involved citizens. And,

with the influx of visitors, the economy is expected to gain. This celebration also showcases

the image of Midsayap as a peaceful place with hospitable parishioners. It also offers an

opportunity for prospective inventors to come and see not only the Halad Festival, but the

beautiful place itself. Consequently, it is envisioned that investors would consider Midsayap

as a good place for investment opportunities.

III. Pictures

Novena & Procession:

Press-conference:
Others: