Sign of political unity glimmers during Leyte’s festival show

By Roel T. Amazona

TACLOBAN CITY, June 28 (PNA) – It was indeed a celebration of unity when spectators of the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival saw in a rare occasion, the two warring political families of the province in a single event.

The crowd cheered on Saturday afternoon when Leyte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez arrived at the Leyte Sports Development Complex to witness the ritual presentations.

Romualdez was invited by the Pintados Foundation to grace the occasion along with his cousin Mayor Alfred Romualdez and City Councilor Cristina Romualdez, the mayor’s wife, but only the congressman showed up.

“We are happy that we are uniting this festival for the benefit of the people of Tacloban, the Waray, for everyone in Leyte and Samar provinces,” Romualdez told the crowd packed at the Leyte Sports Development Complex.

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals were jointly held every June 29 until 2007. In 2008, the city government revived the Marcos era Sangyaw Festival every June 29, pushing the parade date for the two festivals to two days earlier

The rivalry of the two festivals has deepened the political rift of Romualdez and Petilla clans.

Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, who delivered his message after Romualdez, said that people of the province should celebrate the “culture of strength and resilience.”

“Through this we have survive the worst disaster, and our recovery is fast,” Petilla said.

He added that for this year’s 126th Tacloban City fiesta celebration people should thank and pray to the patron of Tacloban, Senior Sto. Nino and asked for unity and hoping for more progress in the province through festivals.

The festival competition was also graced by Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, who said that Eastern Visayas is now the toughest region to beat when it comes to festival competition.

When asked about the status of his relationship with Romualdez, the secretary said that “it is civil because they are educated.” He also dismissed rumors that he and the Leyte solon agreed on some political matters in a brief meeting during the festivity.

Other personalities in Leyte that graced the festival presentation were Pintados Foundation President Eugene Tan, Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, Leyte 5th district Rep. Jose Carlos Cari and Catbalogan City Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan who came with the Mandaragat Festival to showcase their winning performance at the Aliwan Festival 2015.

Pintados, a business group organize festival is now on its 29th year while Kasadyaan, a provincial government-backed festival is now on its 20th year. The two merge during the incumbency of Petilla matriarch as the governor of Leyte province.

For this year, five contingents vied for the most coveted prize as the Kasadyaan grand champion, which will represent the province of Leyte at the Sinulog Festival in Cebu and Aliwan Festival in Pasay City.

Buyogan Festival of Abuyug is again declared as the grand champion bringing home PHP750,000 cash prize.

Lingganay Festival of Alang-alang, Leyte was the 2nd placer and took home PHP500,000. They also bagged the best in festival music and will also compete in Sinulog and Aliwan Festivals.

First time contender, Sanggutan Festival of Barugo, Leyte was declared as the 3rd placer and took home PHP250,000.

Mayaw-mayaw festival of Pinabacdao, Samar won the best performance in dance parade and Best dressed service vehicle.

Other festival contingents are Sadukan Festival of Motiong and Tolo-usa festival of Tolosa, Leyte.

For the Pintados-base category, Tribu Mangirisda of Cogon, Palo was declared as the 1st placer and they also bagged the Best in Tattoo and Best in Street Parade. (PNA)