ILOILO – The Municipality of Maasin is set to bring pride to Iloilo Province as it showcases its vibrant Tultugan Festival during the 127th Philippine Independence Day Parade at Rizal Park in Metro Manila, on June 12.
Celebrating Maasin’s thriving bamboo industry and rich cultural heritage, the Tultugan Festival will be featured in the national performance competition, going head-to-head with top contingents from across the country.
The festival tribe earned its place on the national stage after emerging as the Dinagyang Festival’s Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan champion for two consecutive years — 2024 and 2025.
Central to the Tultugan Festival is the use of native bamboo instruments, which historically served as tools of communication and musical expression among the Ilonggos. The performance will fuse tradition, music, and storytelling in a display of Maasin’s cultural identity.
On May 16, the Municipality of Maasin, together with its officials, the Tultugan Festival Core Committee, and Princess Production, finalized the presentation’s concept and logistical details to ensure a world-class performance.
“The Tultugan Festival will deliver a performance we can proudly present not only to the country but to the world,” said Maasin’s Mayor Francis Amboy.
In addition to the cultural dance performance, Iloilo will also compete in the Parada ng Kalayaan Float Competition, represented by the “Cry of Santa Barbara” float.
The Cry of Santa Barbara is a historic event in Philippine revolutionary history, commemorating the first raising of the Philippine flag outside Luzon during the revolution against Spanish rule. This event took place in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, and marks the province’s vital role in the country’s struggle for independence.
In 2024, the float from Sta. Barbara was named champion in the same competition, besting entries from nine other local government units during the parade at Quirino Grandstand, Manila.
This year, Iloilo once again hopes to clinch top honors in both categories, showcasing not just artistic excellence but the province’s deep-rooted pride in its history and culture.
The Philippine Independence Day celebration serves as a tribute to the nation’s rich history, collective sacrifices, and enduring resilience. Through cultural performances like the Tultugan Festival, the Ilonggos aim to share a message of unity, identity, and freedom while preserving and promoting their vibrant cultural legacy./PN
