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Davao del Norte

Ugmad Festival

Ugmad Festival, formerly Durian Festival, is the annual celebration in the city of Tagum, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Its four-week calendar stretches from the last week of August to the third week of September.

The city also celebrates Araw ng Tagum every March.

History of Ugmad Festival

Tagum City used to hold the yearly Durian Festival. Durian Festival was organized by the city government through the Tagum City Tourism Council and growers of the fruit in 2005 and it was first held in September, 2006. It was put up as a celebration of the cultivation and the bountiful harvest of the fruit.

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is referred to as the king of tropical fruits that is grown in Southeastern Mindanao. The fruit is large with a skin ranging in color from yellow to brown and covered in thick thorns. Its fleshy inside can be pungent, but its pulp surrounding its seed can be rich and provide a nutty, balanced sweetness.

The city government of Tagum launched a program that encouraged its cultivation as a cash crop by providing assistance to farms.

Then the Ugmad Festival was mounted in 2013 during the term of Mayor Allan Rellon. Its name is an abbreviation of the catchphrase Uma Gamiton, Mag-uuma Atong Dayegon with a translation that means “Let’s use the farms, celebrate our farmers.”

The Ugmad Festival is a toast to the valuable work of farmers, livestock growers, and fisherfolks in striving for food security. It is an opportunity to acknowledge their contribution to the economy. Additionally, the fest focuses on three main elements: agricultural produce or crops, livestock, and aquatic resources. It has likewise accommodated the Durian Festival into its month-long calendar of activities.

Ugmad Festival Activities

Activities of Ugmad Festival provides avenue for the recognition the work of people involved in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries as well as showcasing their products through trade fairs. There is likewise a series of talks, demonstrations, and forums to increase productivity. Other events include culinary competitions, various contests, entertainment, variety shows, and races.

Carrozas y Pintados de Carabaos

Carabaos or water buffalos are farm animals that help in tilling the land and hauling harvests, farm tools, and people. They are the centerpiece of Carrozas y Pintados de Carabaos, which is a contest where the body of the animals are painted and those with the most creative paintings win. They participate in a parade around the city.

How to reach Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Tagum City is an hour away from the Davao International Airport. It can also be reached through sea travel connecting Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Zamboanga City. By land, buses ply from Manila via Philtranco buses that would take three days along scenic routes of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

References

Ugmad Festival Summary

NameUgmad Festival
CelebrationAgiculture, Fishery, Livestock
CountryPhilippines
DateThird week of September
Duration4 weeks
Emailinfo@tagumcity.gov.ph
Established2013
Facebookwww.facebook.com
FounderAllan Rellon
LocationTagum City, Davao del Norte
OrganizerCity Government of Tagum
Previous NameDurian Festival
Twittermobile.twitter.com
Websitesp.tagumcity.gov.ph