By Richard Almonte
MALINAO, Albay, (PNA) – The Barangay Council, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and the Nipa Festival executive committee of Barangay Balading in this town are now all set for the 5th Nipa Festival scheduled on Oct. 21-25.
The Nipa Festival is the first barangay festival in the town of Malinao that focuses on promoting environmental preservation and sustainable development.
It started in October 2010 through the efforts of the Barangay Council, SK and the executive committee.
Its main objective is to promote and encourage tourists in other parts of the Philippines and also in other countries to visit the village.
It also aims to stress the significance of the Nipa palm to the life and livelihood of its people.
The festival is also celebrated in honor of St. Raphael the Archangel, the patron saint of Barangay Balading.
Various activities are scheduled for the five-day celebration, which include the Talentadong Baladingnon, Nipa Float Padyak and Costume Parade, Karera de Padyak, Karera de Suknong Nipa, Karera de Tiklad, Karera de Sintas, Search for the Mutya ng Nipa Festival, Flying of the Sky Lantern and Bangui nin Pag-guiromdom asin Pasasalamat.
Barangay Chairperson Ofelia Bigata said this year’s celebration has been shortened to give way to the forthcoming barangay election, unlike the two-week event observed in the previous years.