THE Higalaay Festival 2025 kicks off with a 58-activity lineup to celebrate the city’s 75th Charter Anniversary, as the city government pushes to strengthen its identity as the country’s “Friendliest Festival” under the theme, “Proud of Our Roots, Bold in Our Dreams.”
Acting Tourism Officer Mark Kenneth Jalapadan earlier announced the breakdown: 13 core events, 10 major events, nine minor events, 18 parallel events, and eight special events.
Core events are largely organized by the city government, with some participation from private groups that have sustained the festival for five to ten years.
“Let’s meet the spirit, and unite the characters of Friendship Festival 2025,” said city mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy on Friday night, August 8.
Uy, with city officials, opened the Higalaay Festival 2025 with Bisaya music and performances by the city’s local bands.
The festival also coincides with the city’s 75th Charter Anniversary celebration this year.
Uy said the Diamond Jubilee marks the city’s pride and its courage to pursue its dreams.
“More activities, more fun, and more reasons to visit Cagayan de Oro again and again,” Uy said.
He added: “This is the start of a fun month! The city is throwing a party for all the people of Cagayan de Oro, for everyone.”
Uy also thanked Vice Mayor Jocelyn ‘Bebot’ Rodriguez and the entire 21st City Council, as well as partners in City Hall and different sectors who worked together to make the fiesta a success.
Their presence added meaning to the service efforts of our colleagues.
“Thank you to Cong. Rufus Rodriguez, Cong. Maxie Rodriguez and Gov. Juliet Uy for your solidarity with the people. With love, unity, and cooperation, let’s continue the fun and show that here in Cagayan de Oro, a visitor becomes a friend, and a friend becomes a family,” Uy said.
Additionally, key core events include the Higalaay Grand Launching on Friday at Rio de Oro Boulevard and the Higalaay Civic-Military Parade and Float Competition on August 27, which has already drawn 136 contingents.
Major highlights feature the 60th Miss Cagayan de Oro Pageant on August 23, the Mindanao Fashion Summit from August 21 to 23, the PyroMusical Competition on August 24, and the Religious and Fluvial Procession along the Cagayan de Oro River on August 28, which will forego competition this year to remain solemn.
Jalapadan said the decision to drop competition for the Religious and Fluvial Procession aims to preserve the ceremony’s solemn nature while still marking the festival and its religious significance.
Meanwhile, Sheila Lumbatan, chief of staff of the City Mayor’s Office, thanked generous sponsors for this year’s event, saying the city government aims to boost tourism and the local economy.
“This year’s budget is P20 million, but not all of it comes from City Hall. We’re banking on sponsorships, because last year our budget was P15 million, but it reached P28 million,” Lumbatan said.
She added: “We’re grateful to our generous sponsors, whose support helped make our activities successful.”
“We’re also aiming to advertise Cagayan de Oro to the rest of the Philippines and the rest of the world through this festival, underscoring its role in boosting tourism and the local economy,” she said.
