The celebration of the annual “Kuyamis” Festival is one of the legacies of outgoing Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano who started it when he assumed office in 2013.

During the official opening rites of the celebration Monday, lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, provincial tourism chief, said it was Emano who ordered the creation of the festival in line with the celebration of the founding anniversary of the province, which is now on its 92nd year.

“Since then, it has become a source of pride and inspiration; the festival established the cultural identity of Misamis Oriental,” he said.

The “kuyamis,” is a variety of coconut trees that bear golden-colored fruits.

Saclot said there was a historical study that the name “Misamis” meant “land of golden coconuts,” hence, the celebration.

Saclot said the festival, now on its 9th year, promoted the tourism sector of the province as well as its cultural significance.

In a speech, Department of Tourism- Region 10 Director Marie Elaine Unchuan said for the past five years, the agency noted significant tourism potentials in various places of the province.

“Exploring the province, we have made new and amazing discoveries, creating possibilities which have made the province rise to its full potential as the tourism hub that is worthy of international renown,” she said.

Unchuan said the province is now a key component in both our inter- and intra-regional tourism circuit developments.

She also said the agency recently launched two Misamis Oriental Tour Circuits.

Kuyamis events

The Kuyamis Festival runs from January 10 to 14, but other events were already held since December with the Miss Kuyamis sideshows and booth competition of participating municipalities, which were judged last week.

Displayed at a strategic location, the Kuyamis-inspired booths not only showcased their structural design, but also served as an economic enterprise featuring their products made available for consumers, locals, and tourists alike.

Other events include the culture and art exhibit with the unveiling of another show featuring the creations of stylists Odelon Simpao, Jiejie Aisa, and Bea Bianca.

National costumes and photographs of several artists from Misamis Oriental are highlights of the display from Jan. 10 to 15, 2022 at the activity center of Centrio Ayala Mall.

These are all made with coconut products as the main design on each artwork.

Meanwhile, the Misamis Oriental Esports Organization has arranged a competition that will be participated in by 25 teams for the Call of Duty: Mobile tournament.

The tournament will run from January 11 to 12 at the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol grounds for the Kuyamis Esports Tournament.

A total of PHP178,000 in pool prizes awaits the winning participants. (PNA)