The Bangsi Festival is an annual festival that takes place every last week of January in the coastal town of Maitum, Sarangani province, in the southern part of the Philippines. The festival celebrates the abundant harvest of the bangsi or flying fish, a delicacy that is unique to Maitum and Sarangani. The festival also features various activities and events that honor the hard work and dedication of the fisherfolk, who are the main source of livelihood in the town.

The word “bangsi” comes from the local term for the flying fish, which belongs to the family Exocoetidae. The fish is also known as dorado or mahi-mahi in other parts of the world, where it is highly valued for its sashimi-grade quality. The fish is small, silver, and elongated, with large pectoral fins that enable it to glide above the water surface. It can be found in tropical and subtropical waters, and can grow up to 45 centimeters long and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. It is usually prepared in various ways, such as grilled, fried, filleted, or dried.

Maitum is famous for producing the best quality of bangsi in the country, which is said to be due to its strategic location near the Celebes Sea and the Sarangani Bay. The town produces over 50% of the province’s supply annually, and exports it to other countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The town is also home to several bangsi processing plants and canneries that employ thousands of workers. The town’s economy relies heavily on the bangsi industry, which contributes to its development and progress

The origin of the festival can be traced back to 2008, when then mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett initiated it as a way of promoting Maitum as a tourist destination and showcasing its potential for development. The festival was also inspired by the history of Maitum, which was established as a settlement by the B’laan people who were the original inhabitants of Sarangani. The festival aims to commemorate this historical event and celebrate the diversity and unity of Maitum.

The festival today is a week-long celebration that culminates on January 31st, which is also referred to as Araw ng Maitum (Maitum Day). It features various events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of Maitum, such as art exhibits, musical performances, cultural shows, food fairs, and other contests. The highlight of the festival is the Sugba-sugba sa Bangsi sa Kadalanan or Grilling of Bangsi along the Streets, where tons of bangsi are grilled simultaneously along the main streets of Maitum for everyone who wants to taste this sumptuous delicacy. The festival also features a festive street dancing parade performed by representatives from different schools. Dance themes portray marine life and the dancers wear colorful costumes symbolizing life in the sea.

The festival is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the taste buds. Visitors can enjoy various delicacies that are unique to Maitum or Sarangani province, such as tilapia (freshwater fish), tuna (saltwater fish), chicken inasal (grilled chicken), piaya (flatbread with muscovado filling), napoleones (puff pastry with custard filling), barquillos (rolled wafers), ibos (rice cake wrapped in coconut leaves), suman latik (sticky rice cake with coconut syrup), kinilaw (raw fish marinated in vinegar and spices), lechon (roasted pig), sisig (chopped meat seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers), kakanin (rice cakes), pansit habhab (noodles eaten without utensils), Lucban longganisa (Filipino-style sausages), hardinera (meatloaf), broas (ladyfingers), tikoy (sticky rice cake), espasol (rice cake rolled in coconut flakes), bagoong (fermented fish paste), alaminos longganisa (garlic-flavored sausages), calasiao puto (steamed rice cake), tupig (grilled rice cake wrapped in banana leaves), pigar-pigar (stir-fried beef with cabbage), binungey (sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes), and bangus sisig (chopped milkfish seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers). They can also buy souvenirs made from wood, silver, beads, or kiping (leaf-shaped wafer).

The Bangsi Festival is not only a celebration of the flying fish and the fisherfolk, but also a celebration of life and culture. It is a way of preserving and promoting the traditions and values of Maitum and its people.