Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Philippines | June 21, 2026—-Underneath the scorching heat in Jaycees Avenue, the carnival rides are still in silence, and the vendors and food stalls are either closed or chilling with little audience. The honking of cars from afar echoes the desolate avenue, with occasional chatters from people passing by. The wait is long for the night, where the real fun starts. But the waiting game is not the only game the people behind the refreshments and amusements are playing. As the clock slowly ticks in mid to late afternoon, the emptiness is slowly being replaced.
For the attendees and audiences, these refreshments and rides are fleeting moments worth remembering, shared with friends, families, and loved ones. But for the people behind them, it is their lifeline, their opportunity to gain enough to sustain themselves and their families. They meticulously check the machinery and equipment to see if they are functioning well and are being used safely. They prepare the ingredients, utensils, and cookware. Likewise, they slowly unravel the stall and display their products with care and flair. For them, the T’nalak Festival is serious business.
Annica, a student and local resident, is a regular goer of the festival, accompanying her friends or family when the urge comes. She usually visits before the “peak” of the festival but still comes during the celebration. Although she is not much of a participant in the amusement park, she looks at her experience fondly.
“Di man gid ko abi palasakay sa rides, pero ang favorite ko is tung UFO nga gina-swing swing ka lang. Amu to siya ang ma-remember ko nga na enjoy ko gid siya na rides,” she shared on her experience on the carnival rides.
Quite serious, in fact. As the operator of a ride called the “ML Viking” revealed the park is operated by a layered network behind the scenes. The amusement park has certain territories where a cluster of the rides are headed by a manager, and then an entirely different person oversees another section of the park. As the clock slowly ticks to 5 PM, the carnival operates like a well-oiled machine, where all parts are synchronized, maintained, and working together to ensure that the area is in top-notch condition for the attendees’ entertainment.
The clock slowly shifts from 5 PM moving to 6, and the once silent park slowly brims with energy. Bright lights are turned on and move with grace, enticing anyone who looks at it.
The screams of the machine pollute the air as the rides are prepped and demonstrate their chaotic but exciting dance. The food stalls also energize themselves, with the sound of knives meeting the chopping board penetrating the air as ingredients are being cut and prepared for cooking. The loud blending and stirring, as well as the clanking of metal as cutlery is being served to the people, also fills the once-silent atmosphere of the park.
This exhilarating atmosphere is what keeps the local residents coming back to the carnival at night. As the province builds up anticipation for the upcoming festival, the amusement park and refreshments serve as a “trailer” as to what is to come in the following days leading up to the culmination date, July 18.
The T’nalak Festival is an avenue for not only showcasing the rich and diverse culture of South Cotabato but also a medium to highlight the province’s identity and uniqueness in terms of product, community, and land. Annica wished that the festival would continue to promote its culture to thousands of people, shine, and live up to its name as the Queen of the South.
“Grabe ka diverse ang aton na community diri, iban-iban nga mga beliefs and cultures. Mas gusto ko nga ma-immerse ka gid bala sa mga traditions and cultures sang iba nga people, and ma-appreciate gid ang crafts sang mga people,” the local resident expressed with enthusiasm.
Truly, the highly anticipated festival of the year in South Cotabato is not just a reminder of its history and culture. It is a vital space where community and livelihood intersect. The vibrant energy in Jaycees Avenue is any indication. With the echoing of the machines, lively singing and chattering, and the smoky aroma of food detected from afar, shows that the province is in for another celebration of the year. A celebration that everyone will look back on and remember fondly forever. (FULL REPORT FROM JIRI VAR ESTABILLO, OPIO Intern)
