In this 2025 photo, visitors from different provinces flood the two-kilometer stretch of the Cotabato-Davao national highway, where makeshift bamboo tables were laden with fruits offered for free to the public as part of Kidapawan City’s Timpupo Festival. WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A fruit galore awaits visitors during the Timpupo (harvest) Festival next month, with the eat-all-you-can fruits on August 18 capping the merrymaking, the city government said.

But instead of a weeklong celebration, this year’s iteration will be held for only two days.

The first day on August 17 will be a celebration of the tri-people (Muslim, Christian, and Indigenous People) and interfaith, highlighting the Somaya Pokiyyab, a traditional ritual of the Obo Manuvu ethnic group to express gratitude and blessing for the success of the occasion.

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READ: 18 metric tons of free fruits dished out in Timpupo festival

During Somaya Pokiyyab, city officials wear the traditional Obo Manuvu dress and join the IPs, also called Lumads, in the rituals that are usually done in front of the city hall.

These rituals will be followed by the Holy Eucharist in gratitude to the bountiful harvest and blessings bestowed to the farmers of Kidapawan. At night, an interfaith celebration to recognize various denominations will also be held.

On August 18, which is the culmination of the festivity, there will be no more parade, but it will be highlighted by the fruit-eat-all-you-can on the road.

A 2.5-kilometer table made from bamboo will be assembled along the Davao-Cotabato highway, where fruits such as marang, rambutan, banana, lanzones, and durian will be served free to visitors.

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READ: In Kidapawan City, durians are not just eaten raw, they are grilled

The city government explained that the budget intended for various Timpupo Festival activities had been diverted to support at least 3,000 tricycle drivers and operators in the form of fuel subsidies.

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By cutting the activities from one week to two days, the city government could save at least P64 million that can be used as additional funds for fuel as well as ensuring food security during the anticipated El Niño devastation expected to hit next month.

The city government is now preparing for the purchase of 15, 000 food packs to assist Kidapawenos once the El Niño phenomenon starts to affect the city./coa

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