This week’s milestones: Oct. 4 to Oct. 10

Koronadal was officially converted from a municipality into a component city of South Cotabato through a plebiscite that ratified Republic Act No. 8803, signed by then President Joseph Estrada on Aug. 16, 2000. The area was formerly called “Marbel,” by the natives, which comes from the B’laan word meaning “murky waters.” Its present name, Koronadal, was derived from two B’laan words: “koron” or “kolon,” which meant cogon grass, and “nadal” or “datal,” meaning plain. The city was designated as the regional center and seat of the region of Soccsksargen by virtue of Executive Order No. 304, signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 30, 2004. Today, Koronadal is a first-class city with a population of 201,844, as of the 2024 Census.

Oct. 8, 2025

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a historical marker at Mayoyao, Ifugao, titled “Alimit: Landas ng Pagkabansang Pilipino, 1899-1900,” as part of a series of marker unveilings in the province in observance of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood. The marker commemorates the stay of Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the first Philippine Republic, and his troops in this community, now part of Mayoyao, Ifugao, while defending Philippine independence and nationhood from Dec. 31, 1899, to Jan. 1, 1900.

This week’s festivals

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival (Sept. 30 – Nov. 2)

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, locally known as Fiesta Pilar, is an annual celebration in the city of Zamboanga. It pays tribute to the city patroness, Our Lady of the Pillar, or “Nuestra Señora de la Virgen del Pilar,” whose image is enshrined at the historic and venerated Fort Pilar. While the feast day falls on Oct. 12, the festival spans more than a month, featuring city-led activities, private events, sports competitions and religious observances. These include beauty pageants, fashion shows, a vinta display, an arts exhibit, a pet parade, fun run, marathon, novenas and more.

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Inug-og Festival (Oct. 1 – Oct. 31)

The Inug-og Festival in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, is an ethnic festival that celebrates the culture of the Suban-on. One of the most awaited highlights of this year’s monthlong festival is the street dancing and ritual competition on Oct. 14. The event features performers presenting their tribal dance as a tribute to the city’s patroness, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, whose feast day is celebrated on Oct. 16. Other major events include a fluvial procession, parade, a musical fireworks display, food bazaar, an agro-trade fair and “diskwento” caravan, a job fair, and various competitions, among other activities.

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Dana Gracielle Quirante, Inquirer Research

Sources: koronadal.gov.ph, elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, zamboangacity.gov.ph, tpb.gov.ph, oroquietacity.gov.ph, pia.gov.ph; PIA Kalinga, Zamboanga City Tourism, Mayor “Lem” Lemuel Meyrick Mananggit Acosta, and Oroquieta City Facebook pages