Governor Imelda "Angging" Quibranza-Dimaporo gives speech to 22 municipalities and its barangays headed by the municipal mayors on July 4, 2018-the 59th Foundation Day of Lanao del Norte. (PIA-LDN)

LANAO DEL NORTE, July 4 (PIA) - Seven National High Schools from various municipalities of Lanao del Norte competed for Sagayan Festival as part of the colorful tourism day on July 3, 2018 at Mindanao Civic Center Grandstand.

The provincial government of Lanao del Norte adopted the Sagayan Festival in its Resolution No. 140, series of 1994.

"Sagayan" has been considered then as the provincial cultural dance which narrates the exploits, mysterious powers and remarkable character of Datu Bantugan, the epic hero of "Darangen."

Magsaysay National High School bagged the first place of the competition with 500,000 pesos cash prize as it presented its best interpretation of "Sagayan", a war dance portraying the war between the good and evil. Lala National High School nagged the second prize, and third prize went to Maigo National High School.

Among the highlights of Araw ng Lanao del Norte is the 2-day Night Super cross and Circuit Race. (PIA-LDN)

Marie Elaine Salvana-Unchuan, regional director Department of Tourism region 10 encouraged the people of Lanao del Norte to value the culture and heritage of the province.

She said, "Know your treasures, preserve and protect what we have, and proudly present the beauty of Lanao del Norte."

"This is our achievement. Making our beloved province progressive and developed, for the good of the people of Lanao del Norte," saidGovernor Imelda "Angging" Quibranza-Dimaporo to the 22 municipalities and its barangays headed by the municipal mayors on July 4, 2018.

Among the other highlights of the celebration were the Unity Run, 2-day Night Super cross and Circuit Race, Invitational Football Festival and Friendship Games during the Sports Day; Tree Planting during the Environment Day; Mass Feeding, Job Fair, Non-Government Organization/National Government Agencies Services, and Medical/Dental Services during the People's Day; 2nd Drum and Lyre Bugle Corps competition, Crazy Duo and Missing Felimon Band Concert, and Ilaw ng Lanao del Norte (A fireworks display) during the Tourism Day.

Seven National High Schools from various municipalities of Lanao del Norte compete in theSagayan Festival as part of the colorful tourism day on July 3, 2018 at Mindanao Civic Center Grandstand. (PIA - LDN)

The celebration was also graced by guests who are public officials from different provinces in Mindanao.

Among them were the Maguindanao 2nd District Representative, Cong. Zajid "Dong" Mangudadato during the Tourism Day; Davao City 1st District Representative, Cong. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and PBA Partylist Representative, Cong. Mark Aeron H. Sambar who were the guest speakers during the culmination program on July 4, 2018 at MCC Gymnasium.

In his message, Cong. Nograles, the chairman on the Committee of Appropriations of the House of Representatives, promised that he will prioritize allocation of budget for massive infrastructure projects and programs in the province along with his vice-chairman, Cong. Mohammad Khalid Quibranza-Dimaporo, the 1st District Representative of the province.

The unity of Muslim and Christians with the leadership of Gov. Quibranza-Dimaporo have driven the Province of Lanao del Norte towards becoming a progressive community. (PIA-LDN)