ARMM hosts Budayaw banquet

Budayaw Festival 2017 - Pagana Night. (Photo by BPI-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) took pride in its rich history and culture as it hosted the Pagana or dinner which marked the culmination of the week-long 1st International Budayaw Festival last September 24 at the KCC Convention Hall in General Santos City.

ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman in his message read by Norkhalila Mae Mambuay-Campong, ARMM cabinet secretary, said the Pagana is a traditional royal banguet that exhibits the culture, hospitality, and culinary grandeur of the Moro people.

“The ARMM government is honoured to introduce some of the cuisines of the Moro people and provide a glimpse of what the Philippines and the region can offer,” Hataman said.

He expressed optimism that the Pagana and the Festival itself will encourage meaningful discussions among the guests and participants not just on matters pertaining to culture and the art but also on wider social, economic, and political issues.

Maritess Maguindra, director of the Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM, said: “The event is an infinite collaboration of our partners. The Pagana and other activities of the Festival are beginnings of a strong and lasting partnership among the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asean Growth Areas.”

The Bureau on Cultural Heritage, Department of Tourism, and Department of Education  in the region collaborated in the preparation of the Pagana Night.

During the Pagana, organizers and partners of the Festival which include the National Commission for the Culture and Arts, Mindanao State University - General Santos City, Department of Tourism-12, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, LGUs of General Santos and Saranggani, and Mindanao Development Authority were recognized and given a token of appreciation.

It also paved the way for the announcement of the next Budayaw Festival to be held in Malaysia sometime in 2019.

The Budayaw, a Festival of Culture and Arts and a celebration of the harmony in diversity, opened last September 20 with about 300 delegates from the four-member countries of the BIMP-EAGA. (BUREAU OF PUBLIC INFORMATION – ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)