Twi-Tawi set to host kamahardikaan-By NoNoy Lacson

Tawi-Tawi set to host 'Kamahardikaan' By NONOY E. LACSON September 13, 2011, 5:07pm BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – This town is now in festive mode after the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi declared Tuesday that "all systems are go" for the holding of the "Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi" festival as part of the celebration of the province's 38th founding anniversary. Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said the celebration, which will start from September 24 to 27, will feature a colorful parade showcasing the various ethnic groups and tribes in the province. Muslim vendors selling various kinds of exotic fruits and colorful hand-woven materials have already positioned themselves along the busy commercial district of this town. With the theme "Sustaining Peace and Responsive Local Governance: Paving the Way to a Progressive Tawi-Tawi," Sahali said the 38th Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi is an annual event that brings together the people of the province in this capital town to commemorate its creation, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, dated September 11, 1973. Sahali said this year's celebration will be simple but meaningful, and full of entertainment for the local and foreign visitors, and for the people of the entire province as well. The provincial government has also lined up several interesting activities for this year, like the most awaited beauty pageant, sports competition, Qur'an reading competition, and cultural shows that will feature the colorful ethnic cultures of the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun, and the Tausug tribes. Sahali said that most of the activities are centered on the eco-tourism program of the provincial government, including environmental protection, and health agenda, aimed at attracting local and national investors to venture in the province. Another highlight of the celebration is the "Agar-Agar Festival" that gives emphasis on the number one product of the province – seaweeds. The province is located in the southernmost of the country, sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah, and the Indonesian Kalimantan province. To the northeast lies the province of Sulu, and to the west is Sabah.