3-PEAT WIN: Tultugan Festival goes three for three at Kasadyahan

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Tultugan Festival clinched a historic third consecutive championship at Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan 2026 on Jan. 24, reinforcing its dominance in the province’s premier cultural competition.

Rooted in the municipality of Maasin’s long-standing tradition of bamboo percussion, the Tultugan Festival blends rhythm, movement, and indigenous artistry into a high-energy cultural performance.

The victory earned Maasin the top prize of PHP 1.2 million and a sweep of major special awards.

Tultugan won Best in Music, Best in Costume, Best in Production Design, Best in Musical Director, Best in Circular Creativity Award, and Best in Street Dancing.

First runner-up honors went to the Kahilwayan Festival of Santa Barbara, which received PHP 700,000.

Kahilwayan also secured multiple major citations, including People’s Choice Award, Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, Best in Choreographer, and Best in Ingenuity.

Its performance highlighted revolutionary themes inspired by the historic Cry of Santa Barbara and Ilonggo resistance.

The Kasag Festival of Banate finished as second runner-up and received PHP 500,000.

Kasag’s coastal-themed presentation paid tribute to Banate’s blue crab industry and the daily lives of fisherfolk through energetic movement and communal storytelling.

Other participating contingents—Jimanban Festival of New Lucena, Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Pagnahi-an Festival of Bingawan, Tawili Festival of San Rafael, and Banaag Festival of Anilao—each received PHP 200,000 as consolation prizes.

Dubbed the province’s premier “festival of festivals,” Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan is a major highlight of the Dinagyang celebrations, showcasing performances rooted in the history, livelihood, and identity of Iloilo’s municipalities.

This year’s staging emphasized circular economy principles, including waste reduction, reuse of existing festival materials, prioritization of recyclable resources, and proper post-event material recovery.

Participating festivals were required to ensure that at least 30 percent of costumes and props were recyclable, reusable, or made from natural materials, while minimizing the use of single-use plastics, styrofoam, confetti, and tarpaulins.