Tultugan is an indigenous Ilonggo bamboo drum used centuries ago by the natives of Panay to communicate with each other. The drum was used by the natives to send messages of distress to the community by making fast beats. Upon hearing, the beats neighbors will then follow the pattern. The transference of beats is crucial to the evoking the immediate action of everyone in the community.
 
Tultugan Festival is the main tourist attraction of the municipality. It gives tribute to Panay's rich culture. The festival features a competition between tribes wearing costumes with bamboo as dominant material and dancing to the beat of bamboo musical instruments. Also in the festival is the Gwapo-Gwapa Carabao, a contest of carabaos dressed in fancy costumes.

Showcasing Maasin's bamboo industry
All roads lead to the municipality of Maasin this coming December 29 as the town celebrates their fifth Tultugan Festival.

Set one day before the town fiesta, Tultugan Festival will feature competition of tribes and street dancing with participants wearing native costumes made of bamboo as dominant material and dancing to the live beats of bamboo instruments.

Initiated by Mayor Mariano Malones in 1999, the concept of tribes' performance will focus on the theme, “Bamboo in the Social and Economic Life of the People of Maasin,” and will note the importance of bamboo, in which the town is made known, and its value to the residents.

The festival aims to show a distinct performance different from other festivals. The presentation uncovers the Maasinanon heritage through dance and music.

This year's contest will give way to six participating tribes and 12 street dancers' groups.

Also included as the festival's highlights are: “Gwapo Karabaw” , a contest which beautifies the country's national animal, the Carabao; “Parada sang Litson”, a parade of grilled whole pigs by the participating barangays; “Rara Amakan” , a bamboo weaving speed contest; “Kadang Race”, the bamboo stilt race; and the Search for Miss Tultugan.

Meanwhile, as part of the celebration, the town will conduct an agri trade fair to display bamboo products and the “Light a Tree” for the Christmas Season. The coronation of Queen Mary Garlene Malones Pablo will be the highlight of the Maasin annual town fiesta on December 30.