(GINA P. GEREZ)
In honor of Senior Santo Niño
TACLOBAN CITY-Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla issued an appeal that unity and friendship should prevail as this city is to celebrate its annual fiesta celebration on June 30.
Petilla made this call as he led the opening of the ‘Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival Park’ at the RTR Park, this city, on June 14.
Tacloban City is to celebrate its 130th fiesta in honor of Senior Santo Niño.
“We hope that this coming fiesta will be more meaningful. We saw that a lot of blessings are coming to our province (and) to the city of Tacloban,” Petilla said.
“Let us not forget that this coming fiesta is the time for giving thanks, of prayers, of helping each other, of friendship, and unity so that blessing will continue to pour in our province,” he added.
Gov. Petilla added that the annual Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is a treasure of the province where talents of the Leyteños are showcased in festival competition which they can be proud of presenting in national competitions.
“We will not only see performance but also the dedication to the devotion to Sr. Santo Nino,” he said.
The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals had produced several winners in national festival competitions like the Aliwan Festival in Pasig and the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.
Among these Leyte-based cultural festivals that made good in the national competitions were the Buyugan Festival of Abuyog; Pasaka Festival of Tanauan; Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos; Lingganay Festival of Alangalang; Buraburon Festival of Burauen; and the Sanggutan Festival of Barugo.
“This proves that we have excellent and talented people that even in the national level, their talents excels,” he added.
Pintados president Eugene Tan, for his part, was thankful to the provincial government and Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla for their continued support to the annual event that is recognized in the national arena of festival competitions.
“This yearly activity will not be a success without the support of Mayor ‘Matin’ Petilla who is always on the forefront of this annual event. Because of their support, we have been successful every year,” Tan said.
For this year, Kasadyaan Festival four contingents are to battle for the title as champion.
These are the Pasaka Festival, Tolo-Usa Festival of Tolosa, Haru Tambalan Festival of Jaro, Leyte and Macarato Festival of Matuguinao, Samar.
The grand champion is to receive P500,000.
The Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals is now on its 24th year while the Pintados Festival is now on its 33rd year.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
