Sibug Sibug Festival Streetdancing Competition. Zamboanga Sibugay is the youngest province in Region 9. It is located in the heart of the Zamboanga Peninsula and its capital, the Municipality of Ipil is located in the crossroads of the cities of Pagadian, Zamboanga and Dipolog. Most of its 16 municipalities that compose the province are coastal which means that the province is blessed by the abundance from the sea. The province is also rich in agricultural harvest from high value crops such as rubber, rice, kalamansi and coconut.

The province used to be the third district of Zamboanga del Sur until it was founded as a separate province on February 24, 2001. Former Governor George T. Hofer, MD is hailed as the founding father of the province. He turned 78 last February 26, 2016 which was celebrated with a street dance competition participated by 8 delegations from different parts of the Province— the Sibug Sibug Festival. Each delegation represented the different festivals around the province. Festival queens danced in elaborate costumes led the different delegations around the famous rotunda in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The intricate and colorful costumes of the dancers were inspired by the different bounty from the land and sea.

Buayan National High School was awarded third place, Kabasalan National High School was awarded second place and Siay National High School which showcased their very own Kalamansi Festival was hailed the champion of the competition.

How to get there: Zamboanga Sibugay is 3-4 hours away from the cities of Zamboanga, Pagadian, and Dipolog which has daily flights from Manila and other cities.
Other attractions: Buluan Island Marine Sanctuary in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Sea Snake Sanctuary in Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay. Tagbilat and Malagandis Falls in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Photo by Mark Vincent Aposaga

Editor: Ariel Balofinos