Every year, the province of Bukidnon celebrates its seven tribes thru the Kaamulan Festival in the capital city of Malaybalay. After the street dancing and contests in the morning, another event follows in the afternoon. This is dedicated to one of its enduring traditions: the cowboys of Bukidnon. Bukidnon is a landlocked province with several plateaus. A big portion of these have been transformed into ranchlands with their sizable cattle population. On this auspicious afternoon, the different ranches come together for this rodeo. Its time of sportsmanship and camaraderie as they demonstrate their lassoing skills and chasing calves and bulls to the people’s approval. But poor cows.
This photo essay of cowboys in Bukidnon were taken in 2012