Tawi-Tawi, the Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines and Carrageenan Capital of the World, celebrates the Agal-Agal (Seaweeds) Festival every 25th of September.  This is a cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich history and culture of the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun and Tausug of southern Philippines through a colourful street dancing and parade of floats all using the Badjao LEPA or houseboat as the main structural design. Participants from the 11 municipalities of Tawi-Tawi dance the traditional dances Tawi-Tawi and Sulu like the pangalay, kuntao, silat, Igal to the accompaniment of native musical instruments and percussions like kulingtangan, agong and gandang. Dancers would be in their colourful native attires adorned with seaweeds and other marine products. This festival is the highlight of the several days of festivities coinciding with the Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi, the Founding Anniversary of this Province. 

 

Agal-Agal (Seaweeds) is used as the representative emblem to promote Tawi-Tawi as a Tourism Destination in this southernmost frontier of the Philippines and front door to the BIMP EAGA.  Being part of the Coral Triangle, it is considered to be the center of marine biodiversity and has some of the interesting dive spots in the country.  Tawi-Tawi is also the first seat of Islam in the country.  

 

Other activities of the Kamahardikaan include the fluvial parade and regatta, Search of the Budjang Tawi-Tawi (Miss Tawi-Tawi) and Grand Cultural Parade on the 27th.