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Bulawan Festival 2026 in Davao de Oro brought together brainy beauties, lively cultural dances, and vibrant celebrations during the province’s 19th founding anniversary in Nabunturan.

The 19th edition of the Bulawan Festival in Davao de Oro will be remembered as a significant, lavish, and eventful occasion. The final two days were sufficient to render the celebration unforgettable.

On the evening of March 7, the search for Binibining Davao de Oro 2026 took place in front of the Capitol building in Nabunturan. While the exact number of attendees is uncertain, the venue was filled to capacity.

Hosting the event was Joy Barcoma (who was herself a beauty queen having been crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2025) and Kitt Cortez (who represented the country in the inaugural edition of Mister Eco International).

The panel of judges themselves were beauty contest winners as well: Chelsea Fernandez, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025; Dindi Pajares, Miss Supranational Philippines 2021; Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, Miss Tourism International Philippines 2026; Kirk Popiolek, Queen Philippines Universe 2024; Lars Pacheco, Miss International Queen Philippines 2023; Myrna Esguerra, Miss International 2025 fourth-runner up; and Nicole Borromeo, Miss International 2023 third-runner up.

On the male side, the judges were Daniel Matsunaga, model and actor; Jeric Gonzales, Kapuso actor and singer; Jojo Braigais, chief executive officer of Bragais Shoes; and Jonas Gaffud, president of Miss Universe Philippines.

Two actors were guest performers who serenaded the beauty contestants: Derrick Monasterio, Kapuso actor and singer; and Enrique Gil, film actor and model.

Eleven beauties vied for the coveted title. They represented the municipalities of the province: Compostela, Laak, Mabini, Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan.

Crowned Bb. Davao de Oro was Jan Marie Nazareon, the beautiful lass from Maco. Marielle Samantha Aldeano from Maragusan was named Bb. Kalamboan; Dionely Amistad from Mabini earned the title Bb. Kinaiyahan; Lady Joy Jongoy from Laak was recognized as the third runner-up; and Tehrose Trizsha Delos Reyes from Monkayo was awarded the fourth runner-up position.

The top winner received a cash prize of P100,000 along with 10 grams of 98.9% refined gold valued at P100,000. Bb. Kalamboan was awarded a cash prize of P70,000 and 30 grams of silver; Bb. Kinaiyahan received P50,000 and 25 grams of silver; the third runner-up was given P30,000 and 20 grams of silver; and the fourth runner-up was awarded P25,000 and 20 grams of silver.

If Saturday night focused on beauty and intellect, the Sunday afternoon, on March 8, was characterized by sound, rhythm, and vibrant colors.

In spite of the sweltering heat of the sun, individuals gathered at the Bulawan Festival Oval to observe the much-anticipated Indak-Indak sa Bulawan competition, which showcased participants from 11 municipalities.

As the music subsided and the participants took a moment to rejuvenate, the audience awaited the announcement of the competition results with great anticipation. Naturally, they had their preferred contestants; however, by the conclusion of the event, there were those who emerged victorious and others who did not fare as well.

Monkayo claimed victory, securing a cash prize of half a million pesos. The first runner-up was Compostela, which received 400,000 pesos, while the second runner-up, Maragusan, earned 300,000 pesos. The remaining eight competitors were awarded a consolation cash prize of 200,000 pesos each.

The title of Bulawan Queen was awarded to Maragusan, who placed first and received a cash prize of 20,000 pesos; Compostela, the first runner-up, received 15,000 pesos, and Maco, who placed third, was awarded 10,000 pesos.

In 2008, the Bulawan Festival was established to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the province’s founding. Since that time, it has been celebrated in the first week of March, culminating on March 8, which is the anniversary of the province’s establishment.

The celebration was formerly known as the Anibina Bulawanun Festival, or more succinctly, the Anibina Festival, which has been celebrated since the establishment of the province. The title is derived from the terms: ani, which signifies “harvest,” and bina, which denotes “gold veins.”

But in its tenth year, it was changed to Bulawan Festival.