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History of Simballay Festival
Simballay is an annual festivity
of the Municipality of Nabunturan coined from a Mansaka word meaning, "Togetherness,
sharing and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest."
It came into existence in 1994
when Nabunturan was named as a Provincial Agri-Industrial Center in Region XI
alongside with the municipalities in Tagum and Panabo which had now become
cities except Nabunturan. These three municipalities were also known as PANATAG
– Panabo, Tagum and Tagum corridor.
Simballay Festival was conceived as
the likes of the Sinulog in Cebu City and the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City
showcasing potential resources to attract investors in Nabunturan. It was not
until 1994 when it was initiated by former Mayor, now Father Joel O. Bugas. For
years, Simballay became a tradition to the Nabunturanons every second week of
December, the month of family togetherness and sharing of gifts and blessings.
It was also a symbol of honoring indigenous peoples.
The Nabunturanons took respite
from farms and works to gather in this most awaited event of the year. Women
are busy preparing local costumes, men decorating buntings on the streets and
building authentic cottages with abundant display of teeming local products,
children peeping in the crowded streets witnessing the merry making
celebrations. Week-long activities were lined up for the people to the feast.
Tourist come and go. It was a restless activity of people in the jubilant
festive mood.
Among the festivities that
showcased the true colors of the Mansaka was the street dancing. Barangay
people participate with their various interpretations of the natives’ tradition
and culture. It was such a vivid display of ethnic costumes and dance steps
with the grace plus the authentic sound of “agong” and other ethnic instruments
amplified all throughout the busy streets along the merry crowd.
In its totality, Simballay was a symbol of unity and progress. It made Nabunturan well known for its potential resources in tourism and agro-industrial aspects. As it evolved, many of the industries blossomed until Nabunturan became the capital town of Compostela Valley in 1998. The spirit of Simballay Festival still loomed. The festivity had now become a significant event in the municipality. Nabunturan, now as a major center of the province of Compostela Valley and potential tourist destination needs Simballay Festival in its prime to sustain the essence of sharing, togetherness and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest which our people had long lived for.
Resolution No. 214 was approved
on December 8, 1988 amending Resolution No. 175-A. From a one week celebration
of Simballay in the second week of December, it was trimmed down in two days
and was moved to the month of July with the Celebration of Araw ng Nabunturan
on July 21-22.
In 2003, Ordinance No 2 declared
December 16-22 of every year as Simballay Festival which restored the festivity
to its original Month. However the festival was again transferred to October
15-19 of every year effective year 2008 by the virtue of Amendatory Ordinance
NO 2007-01. A year later, the Municipal Tourism Council (MTC) requested the
Sangguaniang Bayan of Nabunturan to amend the dates of the celebration from the
third week of October to the third week of December of every year. This was
supported by manifesto of the indigenous people and other concerned residents
of LGU Nabunturan who conveyed their indifference, apathy or opposition to
Amendatory Ordinance No. 2007-01. The DepEd of ComVal and the Association of
Barangay Council (ABC) of Nabunturan were also for the celebration of Simballay
in December.
Besides, the Department of Tourism Calendar of Festival in the
Philippines has set the Simballay Festival of Nabunturan on the third week of
December. Hence, Municipal Ordinance No 2009-06 fixed the date of the
celebration of the Simballay Festival from the third week of October to the
third week of December of every year effective December 2009.