SAGINGAN FESTIVAL
October 16-19
Tubod, Lanao del Norte

The people of Lanao del Norte wherein several varieties of bananas are showcased to the public celebrate a festivity dubbed as Sagingan Festival annually. This unique festival, held during the celebration of the Araw ng Tubod, is conducted to give thanks for the province's rich bounty the whole year round.

In October 17, 2002, numerous activities for the festival were held. Some of these included Banana Food Festival, Agro Trade Fair, Best Karomata (wagon) Contest, and the "Pinaka" Contest wherein the biggest among the different varieties of banana in the municipality was awarded. Search for the Mutya ng Sagingan, Street Dancing Competition, Folk Dance Competition, and Sports Competition were also held.

Around 20,000 people witnessed the occasion. Among them were Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo and Lanao del Norte 1st District Congressman Alipio Badelles. Director Dorothy Jane Pabayog, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region X and Undersecretary Delia Hoy-Ganaden, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) were also present.

Starting this year the Sagingan Festival is an open competition for other institutions and municipalities who wished to join. Among the participants was Lanao del Norte municipalities including Kauswagan, Kapatagan, and Buru-un, Kolambugan (Brgy Tabigue), Maigo, and Tubod (Brgy. Poblacion). Cagayan de Oro City, Tangub City as well as Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) also participated in the competitions.

Tangub City emerged as the first prizewinner in Street Dancing Competition, while Kauswagan and Kapatagan won the second and third prize respectively. Cagayan de Oro City bagged the trophy for the Best in Karomata Contest and Search for the Mutya ng Sagingan.

Barangay Malingao, in the municipality of Tubod, was awarded with the "Pinaka" and Best Booth Award. Under this competition, bananas and its parts were used to decorate the booths. The booths displayed the entries for the "Pinaka" Contest wherein the biggest and heaviest banana, vegetable, fruit, root crop, and aquamarine products were chosen. A cash prize of PhP500 was given to the winning barangays. Barangay Malingao is one of the pilot sites of the Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCT) project.

The Sagingan Festival served not only as a source of entertainment among people but also helped in the promotion of economic activity. Not only did the people enjoyed dancing on the street wearing colorful costumes decorated with banana leaves and banana fruits but their produce were sold to interested buyers as well.