Deputy Speaker and Misamis Oriental Second District Rep. Yevgeny Emano announced on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that the Kuyamis Festival has been declared the official festival of the province following the enactment of Republic Act 12275.

Emano said RA 12275 or An Act Declaring the Kuyamis Festival as The Official Festival of the Province of Misamis Oriental has lapsed into law on September 7, 2025.

Under the law, the second Friday of January every year is declared a special non-working holiday in celebration of the Kuyamis Festival.

The law also authorizes the provincial government to allocate funds and accept donations and contributions from private individuals, corporations, and non-government organizations to support the annual festivities.

Emano expressed gratitude to everyone who supported his initiative to institutionalize the Kuyamis Festival, a celebration he started during his term as governor from 2013 to 2022 to help expand the province’s tourism program.

Emano said “Misamis” originated from the term “Kuyamis,” a variety of small sweet, golden-colored coconut abundant in the province.

He said this variety of coconut was offered by Misamisnons to Spanish colonizers centuries ago.

Emano wants the province to be known locally and internationally for the abundance of its coconut trees and coconut-based products.

Activities during the celebration include a street dance competition, Kuyamis booth display, Miss Kuyamis pageant, among others.