Kidapawan is blessed with rich soil, abundant human and natural resources and friendly people. Anyone who visits the city will experience and capture its natural gifts and boundless wealth.

The city has always been synonymous with its exotic tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen, bananas, mango, rambutan, lanzones, marang, pomelo and many more.

The abundance of these fruits was illustrated and characterized through visual presentation. Hence, the Timpupo Festival (Fruit Festival) was conceptualized.

The past Timpupo Festivals had always been huge successes since they highlighted the abundance and variety of fruits Kidapawan has to offer. The celebration was festive that numerous people participated in the different series of activities like street dancing competition, fruit float parade, giant fruit competition in paper mache, on-th-spot fruit arrangement, “pinaka” fruit, fruit fair exhibit and fruit galore. Foreign visitors and local tourists savored the exotic fruit that are grown in the city. But this year has become an exception.

Due to fruit shortage, the festival has to be canceled. To the dismay of many who eagerly awaited for it, many plans were altered. Potential tourists arrivals would not be realized. This only show that what started to be a modest attempt to create a festival unique to Kidapawan, the festival had become a league of its own. It has become as famous as the other festivals in some part of the country. One day it will become as important as the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.

But Kidapawan is much more than just about its fruits. It is equally famous as a gateway to the highest peak in the Philippines- Mt. Apo. Trekkers from all over has always converged in Kidapawan before and after their Mt. Apo expedition.

The countless springs has attract many local tourists. Most say that Kidapawan would lose its magic without its many springs.

Kidapawan also has the best tasting potable water, pleasant climate all year round, wide agricultural lands, rivers, creeks, lakes and forestlands.The abundance of fruits and springs in the city was the reason why the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Kidapawan promulgated an ordinance establishing a brand name of Kidapawan as ” City of Fruits and Highland Springs “.

Additional places which are enticing to visitors are the Hot Spring Resorts and Lake Venado.

Yes, Kidapawan City is indeed an important destination in Region XII. Come, visit, and enjoy the friendly smiles and ever- helpful local folks as you savor the different styles and flavors of Kidapawan.

RICHARD V. DIONGSON