Tanudan Celebrates 63rd Founding Anniversary, honors local champions and ultural heritage

TANUDAN, Kalinga – The Municipality of Tanudan celebrated its 63rd Founding Anniversary and 11th Kapi Festival on June 25 with a simple yet meaningful program that honored the municipality's rich cultural heritage while recognizing the outstanding achievements of iTanudans who brought pride to their hometown on the national and international stage.

Despite scaling down this year's festivities, the celebration remained significant as it highlighted the municipality's identity, unity, and continuing commitment to preserving its traditions while recognizing the accomplishments of its people.

Two months before the celebration, the Tanudan Municipal Local Government Unit, headed by Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag and Vice Mayor Antonio Basungit Jr., decided to compress the weeklong festivities into a one-day celebration. Major activities, including the Mayor's Cup, DepEd Day, and the Search for Miss Tanudan, were cancelled in compliance with the national government's directive to reduce expenditures amid the 110-day Middle East conflict.

The celebration opened with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Open Gymnasium in Barangay Banagao, where residents gathered to express gratitude for the municipality's blessings, sustained peace, and continuing development over the past 63 years.

The formal program featured messages from Mayor Dagadag, Vice Governor Dave Odiem, Congresswoman Caroline Agyao, represented by Atty. Sophia Chesed Cosmiano, and Vice Mayor Basungit. The ceremony also included the official sashing of Sara Danica Cabawoig, who will represent Tanudan in the Search for Miss Kalinga 2027.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the recognition of Tanudan's outstanding sons and daughters who excelled in national and international competitions. The municipal government awarded resolutions and cash incentives to Garth Ezekiel Annugui (Philippine representative to Caballero Universal 2026), Dick Maximo Saking (gold medalist, 2026 IFMA School World Championships), Wahkan River Tagure (silver medalist, 2026 IFMA School World Championships), Ralph Liwaliw (quarterfinalist, 2026 IFMA School World Championships), and Palarong Pambansa 2026 athletes Maverick May Gacayon and Calleigh Paga.

The Kapi Festival also showcased Tanudan's rich indigenous traditions through community participation in traditional games such as tug-of-war and arm wrestling, fostering camaraderie while preserving the municipality's cultural heritage.

Other highlights included the launching of the official Tanudan municipal website and the presentation by Philippines Coffee Guild Chairperson Marietta Claver of the mechanics for the Quality Coffee Competition, an initiative aimed at further improving the quality and competitiveness of Tanudan's coffee industry.

The celebration concluded with the Barangay Night, bringing together residents in a festive gathering that reflected the unity, resilience, and enduring cultural pride of the people of Tanudan.