CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The municipality of San Jose, this province, bagged the first place award for the best float competition on the kick-off ceremony of the inaugural run of the Ibabao Festival on Sunday(June 4).
The float was designed to replicate a ship using materials available in the municipality and adorned with products that are abundant in the town’s farmlands and marine resources like seaweeds, sea cucumber, root crops, and vegetables.
They bested 18 other entries and won P300, 000 and a plaque from the provincial government.
Lope de Vega was named as 2nd place and received P200,000, while Catubig won 3rd place and received P100,000.
The float parade and competition is just one of the major activities for the celebration of the Ibabao Festival in relation to the 58th founding anniversary of the province.
“While we have lots of municipal festivals we never really had a provincial festival wherein we can provide Nortehanons venue and avenue for artistic and cultural engagement,” Gov. Edwin Ongchuan said during the opening ceremony.
“Hence as we celebrate the 58th founding anniversary of the province of Northern Samar this June, we are launching today the very first Ibabao Festival, a series of exciting events that will showcase the rich history, tourism, and cultural heritage of our province,” he added.
The festival of festivals is slated on June 18 participated by municipalities in the province.
Ongchuan said that they hope that this will raise cultural awareness, deeper appreciation of history, cultural heritage, and development of Northern Samar, instill pride, integrity, understanding, and unity among the present and future generations.
The festival was named after the ancient name of Northern Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
