First Agten Tufi Festival starts today!

With this year's theme “Iba’t –iba man ang Lipi, Iisa ang Minimithi”, the Municipality of Tupi is celebrating it's 57th Foundation Anniversary and the First Agten Tufi Festival starting today, September 1, 2010. Here's the list and schedule of activities of this 11-day celebration:
see full list of activities by clicking here

THE FIRST AGTEN TUFI FESTIVAL

Giving credit to cultural history and to the B’laans where the name Tupi was derived - the new set of officials, in its recent session has approved resolution 201 renaming “Kasadyahan” to “Agten Tufi” festival.

For 16 years, Kasadyahan Festival has been the official festival name of Tupi every September, however, the local Sangguniang Bayan here took the bold steps in renaming the same after the Culture and Arts Council headed by Tupi Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., advocated for the change of festival name with originality and has historical and cultural value.

“Kasadyahan is a duplication of other festival, is not original and bears no cultural identity,” the local culture and arts council said.

Agten Tufi – is derived from the B’laan words meaning “Bountiful or beautiful Tupi.” On September 1, opening of the festivities, the 11 day celebration will banner “1st Agten Tufi Festival” as its new name.

The local Sangguniang Bayan (SB) on their August 25 session has passed and approved Resolution No. 201, series of 2010 christening the use of “Agten Tufi” as Tupi’s new name.

“AGTEN TUFI is derived from B’laan etymology meaning “Beautiful or Bountiful Tupi” - a name with holistic meaning, making it one of the vehicles for establishing identity in positive efforts to respect the cultural pact that made Tupi what it is now and what it will be in the future, the SB said in its resolution.

“Kasadyahan Festival has been the festivity named more than a decade ago, literally means “merriment” a replication to some other festivals that it loses its real essence as to creating its own identity reflective to the aspirations of the people of Tupi” the resolution said.

The proposal to rename Tupi’s festival is one executive effort to redirect the visions of governance towards more meaningful celebration of its foundation anniversary. The creation of a concept based on social realities such as cultural heritage and its cultural assets could well define what direction the Municipality takes as it identifies the reason why it has to celebrate – a festival that gives weight to the programs of government, the aspirations of its people, the history of its constituents that creates a holistic showcase of the tri-partite relationship between social/cultural, political and economic institutions as pillars of development.

Considering the town’s cultural history, Tupi (tufi), along with Koronadal (kolon datal), Polomolok (flom molok) and Tampakan (tamfaken) derived its name from Blaan origins – making its tribal roots a significant part and parcel of its social history. As such, the tourism and economic potential of its culture is high – if only realized and anchored to programs of the government said Buth Ferrer, the president of South Cotabato Culture and Arts Foundation, Inc. (SCCAFI).

Ferrer conducted a research on B’laan culture and one of those advocating for designing and naming a festival into something with cultural inspiration.

“Sinulog of Cebu, Dinagyang of Ilo-ilo, Ati-atihan of Aklan, Pintados of Leyte and South Cotabato’s Tnalak festival to name a few are very successful because it is anchored on culture” Ferrer said.

“These festivals had taken off from the usual merriment – and these became venues for image making and packaging that speak of the existence and aspirations of their respective people” he said. (source: tupi.gov.ph)

Post a Comment

Comments Here

Previous Post Next Post