Malaybalay Kaamulan Festival

Wow! What an incredible experience we had at the Kaamulan Festival last Saturday, March 8, 2008, in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon province. The excitement was palpable as this was the first time many of us set foot in Malaybalay, despite its proximity to our home city.

We departed from Cagayan de Oro around 7 AM and arrived in Malaybalay by 9 AM, making it a two-hour journey. We traveled by bus, and the fare was 140 pesos one way for an air-conditioned ride.

Upon reaching the city, we headed straight to the Kaamulan grounds where the street dancing was taking place. Nine groups were participating in the street dancing competition. The festival attracted a diverse crowd, including many foreigners, students, and travelers like us from various parts of the Philippines. We thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, not just because of the city’s beauty but also due to the festive celebrations and, of course, the delightful food.

After the street dancing, we moved on to witness the Off-Road Challenge, one of the festival’s major events. Although the challenge was set to start at 1 PM, the playground was already filled with eager spectators by 11 AM. While waiting for the event to begin, we took part in other activities like wall climbing and horseback riding.

Traveling has become a significant part of my life, and I aspire to explore more places around the world once I’ve seen all the wonders of the Philippines. I’m currently on the lookout for affordable flights, although finding reasonably priced tickets to destinations like Germany and New York can be quite challenging.

Before leaving Malaybalay, we made sure to complete our tour by purchasing some souvenirs. We bought T-shirts, keychains, and other keepsakes, though I can’t recall every item we picked up. You can see from our pictures just how much joy the Kaamulan Festival brought us.