05/08/2026
Prosperity in Austerity: Tacurong turns Diamond, celebrates 75th Araw ng Tacurong
On August 3, 2026, Tacurong marked a quiet but meaningful milestone. Seventy-five years after its founding on August 3, 1951, the city turned diamond, yet chose to celebrate not with excess, but with heart.
Under the leadership of City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, PhD, the City Government kept this yearโs Araw ng Tacurong simple. Austerity measures were in place, so nearly everything was held in a single day. Yet the day never felt thin. It felt fullโof laughter, of shared effort, and of the quiet pride that comes from doing much with little.
Morning began with the Decorated Kudong Competition parade along the cityโs main highway. Familiar faces filled the route: clustered offices of LGU Tacurong, other government and non-government groups, and all twenty barangays. To keep costs low, each group decorated only one kudong as its official entry. Everyone else simply wore the classic kudong and their brightest smiles. The National Food Authority took the Inter-Office Category championship, while Barangay DโLedesma claimed the Inter-Barangay title.
After the parade, a Thanksgiving Mass gathered Mayor Montilla, the elected city officials, barangay leaders, and LGU employees in quiet gratitude. Then the official opening program unfolded at the city hall grounds. Hon. Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, Governor of Sultan Kudarat, graced the celebration and shared in the meaning behind Tacurongโs seventy-five years.
As a true tradition of the foundation day, the twenty barangays were given their moment. One by one they raised their banners across the open field, a simple act that felt like a collective embrace.
The entire morning brought the familiar joy of Larong Pinoy. Palo Sebo, Tug-of-War, Pukpok Palayok, Pig Catching, and other traditional games turned the grounds into a lively field of friendly rivalry among the barangays.
And of course, no fiesta is complete without a shared meal. By lunchtime, the city government and every barangay handed out packed lunches by the thousands. Stations of lechon added their golden, fragrant touch, turning a simple meal into something that felt like home.
Later came the Kumpas Folk Dance Competition, won by Barangay Calean. In another first, Tacurong Cityโs Hymn finally received an official choreography through an inter-school contest. The entry from Tacurong National High School will now take center stage whenever the hymn is performed.
As evening settled, the city gymnasium filled for a special awarding ceremony. The City Treasury Office led the recognition of this yearโs top individual real-property taxpayers, top business taxpayers, and top-performing barangays in real-property tax collection. This is another quiet way of honoring persons and businesses who help the city grow.
Finally, the day closed on a sweet note. The popular duo Sweetnotes, together with other homegrown bands, filled the night with music and sent everyone home with smiles.
This yearโs theme said it best:
โHalin sang Una Tubtob Subong, Naga Ugyon kag Nagapanikasug para sa Tacurong!โ
(โFrom then till now, we unite and work hard for Tacurong!โ)
And truly, that is what the Diamond Year showed. Even in lean times, Tacurongnons found ways to come together, to celebrate, and to make memories that will last far longer than any grand spectacle.โ Atty. Yen Robles, LGU-Information
