Cagayan de Oro City — The month-long “Higalaay Festival”  last August has been named as finalist in the Outstanding Festival Category for Mindanao area by the Philippine LEAF Awards: Tertulia at Parangal 2024, according to the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office on Monday.

The Philippine LEAF Awards is an esteemed institution honoring outstanding achievements across various artistic domains, spotlights Filipino Artists in live entertainment, arts, fashion, and festivals.

According to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy, the recognition reflects the exceptional contribution to the cultural landscape of the “Higalaay Festival” — the centerpiece event of Cagayan de Oro City’s month-long colorful fiesta revelries every month of August.

He disclosed that the announcement of winners is scheduled on 8 February 2024 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The festival was highlighted with a religious fluvial parade from Puntod in Macajalar to Duaw Park near the St. Augustine Cathedral. The month-long “Higalaay Festival 2024” of Cagayan de Oro was in honor of the city Patron Saint St. Augustine.