SOUTH COTABATO – A total of 1,786 participants from various sectors joined the celebration of Tourism Month 2026, recently held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
The participants included representatives from different institutions, schools, government offices, local officials, and residents of the province who came together to celebrate South Cotabato’s rich culture, talents, and tourism potential.
Frances Cerbo, Tourism Operations Officer 1, said the celebration aimed to promote South Cotabato as a tourism destination while providing young people and other participants with opportunities to showcase their skills, creativity, and appreciation for the province’s cultural heritage.
“Among the major activities were the Quiz Bowl, Tour Guiding Competition, Cultural Dance Competition, Infographic Competition, Tourism Booth Competition, and Lakambini ng Turismo 2026,” Cerbo said.
In the Quiz Bowl, the Southeast Asian Institute of Technology (SEAIT) emerged as champion, followed by Golden State College of Koronadal City as first runner-up and Regency Polytechnic College, Inc. came as second runner-up.
For the Tour Guiding Competition, Notre Dame of Marbel University won the championship. Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges-Marbel, Inc. placed first runner-up, while Southeast Asian Institute of Technology finished as second runner-up.
In the Cultural Dance Competition, Sta. Cruz Mission of Lake Sebu took the championship, followed by Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges-Marbel, Inc. as first runner-up and Marvelous College of Technology as second runner-up.
Meanwhile, Goldenstate College of Koronadal City won the Infographic Competition, with Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges-Marbel, Inc. as first runner-up and Green Valley College Foundation, Inc. as second runner-up.
For the Tourism Booth Competition, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges-Marbel, Inc. emerged as champion, while Notre Dame of Marbel University and Green Valley College Foundation, Inc. placed first and second runner-up, respectively.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the Lakambini ng Turismo 2026, where Katrina Collen M. Sabuero of SEAIT was crowned Lakambini ng Turismo 2026. Janna Suhani Jasmine Juluat of Goldenstate College of Koronadal City was named Lakambini ng Kultura 2026, while Lougie S. Malinao of SEAIT was recognized as Lakambini ng Karunungan 2026.
According to Cerbo the activity highlighted South Cotabato’s continuing efforts to promote its cultural heritage and tourism industry, while recognizing the important role of young people and local communities in developing a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector.
Meanwhile, Richie Matunding, Administrative Aide IV, stressed the importance of engaging communities and the youth in tourism-related activities as part of efforts to further promote South Cotabato’s destinations, culture, and local talents.
“Dako ang papel sang aton mga pamatan-on kag komunidad para mas mapalapad pa ang pagkakilala sa South Cotabato. Ang ila bag-o nga mga ideya kag aktibo nga pag-upod ang tunay nga susi para ipakita sa bilog nga pungsod ang ganda sang aton mga destinasyon kag ang kadalag-an sang aton lokal nga talento,” Matunding said.
Matunding said that in the past months, tourist arrivals in South Cotabato is increasing and one of the sought-after tourist destinations in SOCCSKSARGEN.
Provincial Government of South Cotabato, under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, supports the successful celebration of Tourism Month 2026 in South Cotabato, that showcased the province’s culture, talents, and tourism potential.
