Nine pairs of high school teens representing all but one schools in the town of M’lang paraded in front of thousands dressed in unique bird costumes and competed in the search for the Lakandula and Lakambini of the 1st Tulabong Festival held at the M’lang Central Mindanao Airport Feb. 16.
Only the Notre Dame of M’lang High School was not represented because it was the organizer of the event. The school’s officials said it was best not to submit representatives to the competition so as to avoid suspicion of bias.
All participants were dressed in white costumes representing the elegant bird Tulabong or White Heron which is endemic in the town of M’lang located near the Liguasan Marsh.
Mayor Lito Pinol, in explaining the use of the Tulabong as the symbol of the festival, said the white bird symbolizes clean governance as the Tulabong has maintained its immaculately white feathers in spite of the fact that it feeds on insects and small frogs in the muddy ricefields.
Mayor Pinol also said that the long neck of the Tulabong, which belongs to the crane family, also symbolizes a governance which looks towards the future with a clear vision.
The high school teens who participated in the search for the Lakandula and Lakambini came complete with white wings and white feathers and answered clean questions with clarity.
In the end, 15-year Jenny Echona, representing New Rizal High School which is located right next to the Mlang Airport, was crowned as the first Lakambini of the Tulabong Festival while Kenneth Guibao of the M’lang National High School was chosen as the first Lakandula.
The other finalists for Lakambini of the Festival were:
1. Emie Rose Baton – Nueva Vida National High School
2. Shenna Mae Lagradilla – Mlang National Hi-School
3. Diane Napitan Patignan – Calunasan National Hi-School
4. Reyien delos Santos – Lepaga High School
5. Julianne Bergante – Southern Baptist College Hi-School
6.Ma. Karen Dimalaluan – Mariano Untal High School
7. Febe Pacete – Lika National High School
8.Mary Ann Balabaran – Katipunan High School
The finalists for the Lakandula title were:
1. Jason Constantinopla – New Rizal High School
2.Rico Orbita – Mariano Untal Mem. High School
3. Jayson Ursupra – Calunasan National High School
4. Mark Anthony Mendoza – Lepaga High School
5. Glysdi Federico Maghopoy – SBC High School
6. Jayson Maglasang – Nueva Vida Nat. High School
7. Rey Esparagosan- Lika National High School
8.Norman Adil – Katipunan High School
The search for the Lakandula and Lakambini of the 1st Tulabong Festival was capped by a 15-minute fireworks which lit up the overcast skies at about 11 p.m. of Feb. 16.
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