The 1st Budayaw Festival launches in General Santos City

   The Philippines will be hosting the first festival of the culture of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) on September 20-24, 2017 in General Santos City. As host, the Philippines will highlight the culture, heritage, and artistry of Mindanao and Palawan. The event aims to foster a sense of connectivity, sense of belonging, and a sense of bonding with other people in the BIMP-EAGA region.

   This big event is a collaborative effort among different agencies and institutions including the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa), the Department of Tourism (DOT) 12, the city government of General Santos, the provincial government of Sarangani, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Mindanao State University (MSU) GenSan, and the private sector.

   Budayaw will showcase the diversity of creative expressions of cultural masters and artists in BIMP-EAGA as well as raise awareness and foster appreciation on the landscapes, lifescapes, and aspirations of peoples of the region. 

   Anchored on the theme “Taking Pride in the Creative Diversity of the BIMP-EAGA Region,” festival events include photo exhibit and Colloquium, visual arts exhibit and workshops, choral special concerts, country performance showcase, Ikat pavilion and traditional virtuosos, BIMP-EAGA Tourism Pavillion, Mindanao history and culture, community outreach showcase, special events and outdoor concert.

   DOT 12 Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera emphasized that the Budayaw Festival is a well-timed opportunity to showcase the culture of Mindanao as well as the tourist destinations of SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

   Dillera said the welcome dinner for more than 500 delegates from the member countries on September 20 will feature the flavors of SOX (SOCCSKSARGEN Region).

   “The welcome dinner will also give prominence to the fabrics of Mindanao. During the dinner, we will stage the Southern Weaves: BIMP-EAGA Fashion Show, featuring top Mindanao designers showcasing collections using the Pisyabit of Region 9, Mindanao Silk of Region 10, the Bagobo fabric of Region 11, Tnalak of Region 12, Beads of Region 13 and the Inaul of ARMM,” Dillera said.

   Another fashion show spotlighting the collections of renowned designers from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines is slated on September 21. The Philippines will feature the collections of Renee Salud. This show will be open to the public.

   During the event, there will be a Mindanao Go Bus Tour of the guests, participants, media personalities and tour operators. They will visit popular destinations in General Santos City, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.

   Budayaw comes from the two words Budaya (Bahasa term) which means culture and Dayaw (Filipino term) which means something beautiful or good. The event is part of sociocultural and education pillar in the development agenda of BIMP-EAGA. The event only happens every 2 years. The Philippines is the first country in BIMP-EAGA region to host it.

*For inquiries, contact the festival Secretariat 

Mindanao State University- General Santos City Campus

c/o Ms. Alma C. Aguha

+63 933 874 4739

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