Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Lanao del Norte grabs the top awards in both the Group Regional Costume and in the Cultural Tourism events category during the recently concluded Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) 11th National Convention held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on October 3-6, 2010.


ATOP is the official organization of all tourism officers in the Philippines accredited by the Department of Tourism and a major contributor to the development of tourism and tourism-related industries nationwide.


“We are very happy with these awards especially because we have successfully put the spotlight on our capitol town’s Sagingan Festival”, said Provincial Tourism Head Minda Regis.


Sagingan Festival is a feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador held every 17th of October at Tubod, Lanao del Norte. This festival is a thanksgiving celebration for the rich harvest of their sweet-tasting bananas which abound in the municipality. Participants in this event wear colorful costumes artistically made from parts of the banana tree.


Present during the national convention were Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, DOT Undersecretary Simeon Marfori II, Phil. Biodiversity ConservationFoundation Regional Director Lisa Paguntulan, Camarines Sur Governor Lray Villafuerte and Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.



The annual convention is a major convergence of various tourism and investment industry players graced by top officials of the Department of Tourism. VNL/PIO-LDN