KANANGA, Leyte– Kananga District I’s Kanangahanong Mattahom and Hiraite Festival of the municipality of Leyte were declared champions in the school and open categories, respectively, at this year’s ‘Kananga Kaanyag Festival’s grand finale ritual showdown held on Sunday(June 9), this town.
This year’s festival featured six competing contingents: three from school-based groups in Kananga and three from the open category, with participants from neighboring towns and cities.
Special awards were also given to the participating contingents.
Among these special awards include the best float given to the Kanangahanong Mattahom of Kananga District I; most disciplined contingent to Maanyagong Mananayaw of Kananga District II; best in musical score and festival costume and street dancing, Kanangahanong Mattahom; and best in visual presentation, Pundok Ugmokanon of Ormoc City, among others.
Kananga Mayor Manuel Vincente Torres expressed his elation over the new developments in their festival, which, in its second year, included the addition of an open category allowing cities and municipalities participating.
The Kananga Kaanyag Festival itself has been invited to join the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
