Spectacular display of fireworks amidst the cacophony of the cheering crowds capped the opening day highlights of the 1st Agten Tufi ffestival and the 57th Foundation Anniversary of Tupi. Thousands of Tupinians from all walks of life storm to Tupi Municipal Parks and Plaza to witness the first evening of the 11 day festivities, the fireworks display and, the live band.

Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., along with other local officials led the Tupinians in witnessing the grand display of fireworks that lasted for almost 15 minutes.

Earlier thousands of Tupinians join the civic military parade, witnessed the agri-fair, drum & lyre competition, mass demonstration and, jobs fair.

Gracing the opening ceremony at Tupi Gymnassium and Cultural Center (TGCC), South Cotabato Governor Dodo Pingoy expressed his all out support support to the people of Tupi and to the eco-tourism potentials of Tupi, specially the Tarsier santuary being developed in Linan.

"I am proudly promoting our Tarsier here in South Cotabato - specially here in Linan, ours is much huge and robust as compared to its counterpart in Bohol" the governor said.

In the same ceremony, Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., formally open the 11 day long festivities amidst the cheerful crowd gathered at TGCC.

"Our theme: Ibat - iba man ang Lipi, Iisa ang Minimithi ... embodies the munipality's diverse culture" Tamayo in his message said, adding "Driven by a common vision we have risen above all the trying circumstances in the past and we have so much blessing to be thankful for."

Meanwhile, Tupi Central Elementary School and the Teoduro Prudente National High School (TPNHS) based in Simbo won the Drum & Lyre competition in elementary and high school respectively.

In mass demonstration Polonoling Elementary School won in the elementary level and, the Juniors and Seniors of Tupi National High School won in the secondary level.

1st Agten Tufi festival and the 57th Foundation day fete formally starts today.

Thousands of Tupinians from the 15th Barangays of Tupi join the civic - military parade headed by Tupi Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. and the local officials. The parade would end at Tupi Gymnassium and Cultural Center for the opening program.

Expected to grace the opening ceremony is Rep. Pedro Acharon, Jr. of South Cotabato 1st Congressional district and South Cotabato Gov. Dodo Pingoy, Jr.

Drum & Lyre competition follows after the opening program. Agri Trade Fair launching is set at 1:00 in the afternoon followed by mass dance. at 2:00 pm. Several manpower agencies participating in the Jobs Fair are also accepting participants at Tupi Municipal Hall today.

Meanwhile, giving credit to cultural history and to the B’laans where the name Tupi was derived - the new set of officials, in its recent session has approved resolution 201 renaming “Kasadyahan” to “Agten Tufi” festival.

For 16 years, Kasadyahan Festival has been the official festival name of Tupi every September, however, the local Sangguniang Bayan here took the bold steps in renaming the same after the Culture and Arts Council headed by Tupi Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., advocated for the change of festival name with originality and has historical and cultural value.

“Kasadyahan is a duplication of other festival, is not original and bears no cultural identity,” the local culture and arts council said.

Agten Tufi – is derived from the B’laan words meaning “Bountiful or beautiful Tupi.” On September 1, opening of the festivities, the 11 day celebration will banner “1^st Agten Tufi Festival” as its new name.

The local Sangguniang Bayan (SB) on their August 25 session has passed and approved Resolution No. 201, series of 2010 christening the use of “Agten Tufi” as Tupi’s new name.

“AGTEN TUFI is derived from B’laan etymology meaning “Beautiful or Bountiful Tupi” - a name with holistic meaning, making it one of the vehicles for establishing identity in positive efforts to respect the cultural pact that made Tupi what it is now and what it will be in the future, the SB said in its resolution.

“Kasadyahan Festival has been the festivity named more than a decade ago, literally means “merriment” a replication to some other festivals that it loses its real essence as to creating its own identity reflective to the aspirations of the people of Tupi” the resolution said.

The proposal to rename Tupi’s festival is one executive effort to redirect the visions of governance towards more meaningful celebration of its foundation anniversary. The creation of a concept based on social realities such as cultural heritage and its cultural assets could well define what direction the Municipality takes as it identifies the reason why it has to celebrate – a festival that gives weight to the programs of government, the aspirations of its people, the history of its constituents that creates a holistic showcase of the tri-partite relationship between social/cultural, political and economic institutions as pillars of development.