Fr Atin together with Catechist Ernest Mojikon and OKK Edna Mojimbun doing the symbolic traditional rice miling known as ‘momolosung’ to separate rice from its shell. Also seen Fr Madanan looking on at the far left (Photo: CV/SoccomMinintod)
By JJ (Soccom Penampang)
June 11 2022
PENAMPANG – This year St Michael’s parish was not short of joy as it celebrated Kaamatan on May 29.
Though it was organized at zone level with less participation, the combined celebration of the patronal feast day of the Church’s patron St Marcellinus and the Kaamatan Festival was done with great zeal by the faithful at St Marcellinus Church, Minintod. With them were parish priest Fr Wilfred Atin, who presided the Mass for the occasion.
St Marcellinus Minintod is a relatively small zone with only six active Christian community cell groups (KKD) of around 600 faithful congregation.
It was originally proposed to hold the celebration at the main parish of St Michael’s, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic restriction, the parish decided to limit it to zone level. This was done to abide by the SOP ruling for small group gatherings only.
Fr Atin thanked the organizing committee for the success of the 2-in-1 celebration, especially after two years of enduring parish activities without a face-to-face encounter.
Also present at the celebration was Fr Thomas Madanan, parish priest of Blessed Sacrament of Labuan.
Among the many activities organized for the enjoyment of the attendees were the Sugandoi Kaamatan (singing), Naansakan Koubasanan (traditional food), Hiing Tavasi (best rice wine) and Tikit Kinasip (lucky draw).
Agatha Clare Bernard, 22, representing KKD St Michael emerged as the best Sugandoi, followed by Scriven Maurice Labanjun, 29, of KKD St Anne, and Anthonius Megis, 25, of KKD St Joachim for the 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.
For the traditional food competition, the team from KKD St Benedict managed to convince the judges to declare them as champions of the best local delicacies taste as well presentation. KKD St Monica came close as the 1st runners up, with KKD St Anne trailing to be the 2ndrunners up.
Best Lihing (rice wine making) competition was won by champion KKD St Benedict, while 2nd place went to KKD St Monica and 3rd to KKD St Theresa.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the celebration – the lucky draws with wonderful prizes – kept the crowd of around 200 people until the end of the program. Maxwell Vison, the luckiest person of the day, won the grand prize and took home an Auto 7.5kg Washing Machine donated by KKD St Joachim.
This most popular festival of the state lasted until late afternoon. Many took to the floor dancing the Sumazau and participated in the traditional games. The great enjoyment of everyone present indicated how much the people have missed the celebration after a two-year lapse of not being able to get together, with loved ones and with the community as a whole.
