TACLOBAN CITY, June 15 (PNA) – Winning festivals in national competition will join the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals parade and showcase on June 27.
Pintados-Kasadyaan Executive Committee Chairman Remedios L. Petilla, mayor of Palo town in Leyte, said the number of competing festival contingent had reduced to six with one special participation by the Mandaragat Festival of Catbalogan City, Samar, which won first place in the prestigious Aliwan Fiesta in Manila in May.
The six contingents are Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Lingganay Festival of Alangalang, Sanggutan Festival of Barugo, Tulo-ua Festival of Tolosa, all of Leyte; together with Mayaw-mayaw Festival of Pinabacdao, Samar, and Tribu Motionganon of Motiong, Samar.
Petilla said the number of participating contingents had dwindled following many years of uncertainty if the cultural dance presentation could be taken to the streets or not; and, if there would be any hitches again should they be allowed to parade the city streets
“Yes, it was partly because some of the local government units were doubtful if there would be problem again with regards to the parade,” Petilla said.
She also said that another reason was that LGUs were still trying to regroup and reorganize their festivals after the super typhoon in 2013 damaged much of their props and affected many of their dancers and performers.
However, she assured the public they will be treated no less to great performances from winning festivals which were former champion and present champion in big national festival competitions in the country.
These are Buyogan and Lingganay which have been festival champion respectively in the Sinulog and Aliwan Festivals.
Meanwhile, Pinabacdao, Samar’s Mayaw-mayaw Festival also won a spot in this year’s Aliwan Fieta.
For the Pintados-based contingent, Pintados Foundation chairman Eugene Tan said they already have nine contingent who confirmed participation.
The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals Grand Parade around the city street is set on June 27, while the performance will follow at the Leyte Sports and Development Center. (PNA)