By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano yesterday opened the 3rd Kuyamis Festival at the capitol grounds but found himself expressing dismay over the non-participation of the local governments of two component cities and 15 other towns. Emano blamed partisan politics for the absence of participants. “Ma-o na gyud na, basta hapit na ang pili-ay. Dunay uban nga magdumili, pero walay sapayan kay dili man kana kaparotan namo, kaparotan man kana sa katawhan sa ilang lungsod nga wala sila mo-apil sa atong Kuyamis Festival,” Emano said. Members of a dance troupe from Balingoan, Misamis Oriental perform at the capitol grounds yesterday during the opening of the 3rd Kuyamis Festival ahead of the province’s 86th anniversary. (PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)

Members of a dance troupe from Balingoan, Misamis Oriental perform at the capitol grounds yesterday during the opening of the 3rd Kuyamis Festival ahead of the province’s 86th anniversary.(PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)

He said there were no participation from the cities of Gingoog and El Salvador, and 15 Misamis Oriental towns. Emano said officials of the two cities and the towns were all sent invitations to the week-long festival at the capitol. But only groups from the towns of Balingoan, Jasaan, Initao, Laguindingan, Talisayan,  Medina, Manticao, and Naawan joined. The Kuyamis  Festival, from Jan. 4 to Jan. 9. was formally opened by Emano and Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director  Catalino Chan yesterday morning. At the capitol grounds are exhibit booths, and the festival would have meat and livestock shows, cooking demonstrations, a food fair, and visual arts exhibit. “We want to present a meaningful celebration consistent with our objective for the development of the province that is anchored on tourism,” reads Emano in a statement. The week-long activity aims at showcasing the tourism potentials of the province and the “kuyamis,” a coconut variety found in the province. The festival would also highlight the selection of Miss Earth Philippines-Misamis Oriental. “We opt to partner with Miss Earth because it has relevance to our Kuyamis Festival,” Emano said in a pres statement. Allyn Peñalosa, capitol spokesperson, said the Miss Earth-Misamis Oriental coronation night would be on Saturday night. Awards would also be given to the best Kuyamis Festival booths. The first prize P150 thousand; P75 thousand, 2nd prize; P50 thousand, 3rd prize; and P10 thousand, consolation prize. “Kon na-ay Maskara Festival sa Iloilo ug kon na-ay Sinulog Festival sa Cebu, na-a usay Kuyamis Festival sa Misamis Oriental nga madala sa pagpa-ila sa tourism industry sa lalawigan,” Emano said. He said the activity forms part of the 86th founding anniversary of Misamis Oriental. Today, Emano would lead local officials in a kuyamis-planting activity in the town of Balingoan. Emano launched the Kuyamis Festival three years ago to celebrate  the founding anniversary of the province. The capitol said it is believed that Misamis Oriental’s name was derived from the word “kuyamis,” a coconut variety used by natives. It said Spanish colonizers came and corrupted the word, and it became “Misamis.”