BASILAN HOLDS PAKARADJAAN FESTIVAL
Basilan’s Pakaradjaan is an annual festival of sports, culture and community service held to commemorate the province’s foundation day.
“Pakaradjaan” is a Tausug and Yakan term for “merrymaking” or special event. Although it is traditionally celebrated on March 1-7, this year, the provincial government has extended it to two weeks.
Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman kicked off Pakaradjaan with a press conference on Feb. 21 at the Garden Orchid Hotel.
The festival opens Feb. 26 with a ceremony, a trade fair and a presentation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan at the grandstand. The Governor’s Tennis Cup will be held at Isabela.
A groundbreaking ceremony of the provincial government board’s project and a medical mission will be held on Feb. 27, followed by the Basilan Circumferential Road Caravan that starts at the Maluso Terminal on Feb 28, and another medical mission in Tuburan on March 1.
The weekend starts with a job fair and a series of sporting events in men’s volleyball tournament at the Capitol Ground, shooting, bowling tournament at the D’ Biel’s bowling center, March 1.
The darts tournament will be followed by a Himig ng Basileño at the grandstand, March 2.
Intelligence and artistry will be challenged in Tagisan ng Talino and a poster-making contest, March 3.
Also on Sunday, a badminton tournament will be held at gymnasium and a variety show, “Barangay Night,” at the ampitheater.
The week begins with a full day of events on March 4. A fun run will span from Begang to the grandstand. Devotees will be inspired by the Qu-Ran Memorization Contest at the amphitheater. Basilan’s indigenous culture will be celebrated in “Tara Na Sa Basilan” at the grandstand.
A regatta on the port, kite flying and the coronation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan will take place on March 5. The festival also has a social cause, with a feeding program for children under 5 years old in three municipalities on March 6. An evening program with surprise numbers will be held at the amphitheater.
The festivities will climax with a cultural program at the Assembly Place of the Maluso Terminal and a Basilan Night at the gymnasium on March 7.
Basilan was under Zamboanga province in the 20th century. After the war, it became a separate city under law. In 1973, former president Ferdinand Marcos issued a presidential decree to make it a province.
In 2011, the provincial government organized the Pakaradjaan to honor Basilan’s Foundation Day. President Benigno Aquino declared March 7 as a special holiday to commemorate the event. The fiesta aims to promote the province as a friendly destination.