BY JESSIE P. MONGCAL, MDN News Bureau
PATIKUL, Sulu – Governor Abdulsakur Tan of this province challenged all the leaders and people of Patikul town to keep maintaining lasting peace in oRder to achieve more developments.
The governor was the main speaker and honored guest during the 107th Patikul Day: Anniversary of Local Governance and Public Administration held recently, with its theme: Patikul at 107th : Sustaining Peace Advancing Progress.
In his speech, he said with the new situation in Patikul, there is great possibility that the national government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will pour in more government-funded projects.
Tan cited the ongoing coastal road project of Sulu which is now reaching the municipality of Patikul, as this is really a welcome development needed by the people to easily travel from place to place and do business.
The governor also thanked government leaders and politicians from both local and national governments. He said they are all instrumental in the achievement of lasting peace in Patikul.
The governor said that without the help and efforts of these people, Patikul would still be in chaos and the bad elements continue to sow fear and destruction making the town unlivable for peace-loving Filipinos.
Patikul Mayor Kabir E. Hayudini, for his part said he is very happy with the full support of Governor Tan to his municipality, adding that the governor is very vocal in his plans and programs for the continued developments of Patikul in terms of infrastructure and other developments.
Hayudini said being the incumbent mayor of Patikul he is also doing his part especially in achieving long and lasting peace in Patikul.
He said it’s time that the town will finally improve in terms of infrastructure projects, school buildings and all other support which could be given by the new BARMM administration.
Meanwhile, the 6th Special Forces (Lionheart) Battalion, SFR(A), PA, took part in the commemoration of the 107th Patikul Day Anniversary of Local Governance and Public Administration. The event was hosted by the Local Government Unit of Patikul under the leadership of Hon. Kabir E. Hayudini, Municipal Mayor of Patikul, Sulu. It was held at the Municipal Compound, Barangay Taglibi, Patikul, Sulu, on March 10, 2024.
Patikul municipality holds historical significance as one of the oldest and most established municipalities in the province of Sulu. Established simultaneously with Sulu province by Act No. 2711 on March 10, 1917, it was known as “Lati or Longan Gitong” during the old Sultanate era.
During the American colonial period, the sultan wielded governing power, and Americans were often invited to observe meetings or act as consultants on legal matters. It was noted that during these meetings, the sultan’s remarks were met with silence, with only the word “Patik or ampon” heard from the people. This led the Americans to conclude that the residents of this municipality were referred to as Patik, hence the name Patik-All, which evolved into PATIKUL.
The traditional attire of Patikul features a Tausug man donning badjuh lapih (upper garment) and kupat (pants), while a Tausug woman wears a sablay. Notably, the Pangalay dance, also known as Daling-Daling in Sabah, is a highlight, with female dancers adorned with artificial elongated brass or silver fingernails called janggay, performing motions inspired by the Vidhyadhari (Bahasa Sūg: Bidadali) of pre-Islamic Buddhist legend.
Photography by: Cpl Felix B Guloy, Public Affairs NCO