Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu has publicly addressed concerns about the funding for this year's Kalimudan Festival, revealing that the event operated with a carefully managed budget of P10 million from the provincial government's annual investment plan.
Budget Clarification and Transparency
During a special media interview, Governor Mangudadatu emphasized that the provincial government maintained transparency and prudent spending throughout the festival preparations. The governor made these statements in response to social media posts that had questioned the scale and expenses of the annual celebration.
"Hindi po nag-spend ng napakalaki ang Sultan Kudarat. In fact, kung titingnan po natin ang Annual Investment Plan, P10 million lang ang nilaan sa Kalimudan Festival. That's it. All of these [were] made possible by our partners, our producers, sponsors," Mangudadatu explained.
The governor stressed that additional support came through various sponsorships and partnerships, enabling the province to stage the celebration without exceeding its financial resources.
Record-Breaking Festival Success
The 2025 Kalimudan Festival proved to be a massive success, drawing an estimated more than 1.2 million spectators, marking one of the largest festival crowds in the province's history. The four-day celebration ran from November 19 to November 22, coinciding with Sultan Kudarat's founding anniversary.
This year's event featured an impressive lineup of international and local artists, including:
- Sandara Park of 2NE1 as the main concert headliner
- Popular Filipino groups SB19 and BGYO
- Celebrity performers Daniel Padilla and Rico Blanco
The festival opened with a spectacular appearance by Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who arrived aboard a Thailand-inspired float created by the municipality of Lebak.
Cultural Celebration and Provincial Showcase
Under the theme "The World Meets in Sultan Kudarat," the 2025 Kalimudan Festival highlighted the province's growing reputation as an emerging tourist destination while celebrating cultural diversity and local identity.
Governor Mangudadatu defended the quality of the festivities, describing them as "sincere, well-prepared, and far from being substandard." He emphasized that the event was organized specifically for the people of Sultan Kudarat and to honor the province's rich heritage.
The festival also showcased the province's social services, particularly the continued zero-billing policy at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital (SKPH), which provides free healthcare to both residents and non-residents.
Historical Roots and Evolution
The Kalimudan Festival traces its origins back to 1999, when it was first launched during the administration of then-governor Omar Pax Mangudadatu to celebrate the province's 26th founding anniversary. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a signature event that honors Sultan Kudarat's heritage, communities, and diverse cultural traditions.
Held every November 22, the festival has grown from a local celebration into a major cultural gathering that continues to attract both domestic and international attention, solidifying its position as a premier cultural and entertainment event in Mindanao.
