Pres. Duterte invited to grace the city fiesta
TACLOBAN CITY- A livelier and more colorful Sangyaw Festival’s “Parade of Lights” will be staged this year as it now enters its 10th year.
This was disclosed by City Mayor Cristina Romualdez during a press conference Friday(June 1) as lined-up activities relative to the forthcoming city fiesta were disclosed by her.
“We have nothing but to ensure that our people and the visitors will enjoy our fiesta which is a month-long celebration,” Romualdez said.
She disclosed that they have invited President Rodrigo Duterte and her daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, among other officials, to attend this year’s city fiesta.
The city mayor also said that she is rushing for the completion of some traffic lights, at least at the city’s downtown area, before the June 30 festivities as an ‘added attraction’.
The city’s traffic lights were destroyed when it was hit by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013.
Among the activities in this year’s city fiesta include the holding of the Miss Tacloban, nightly cultural presentations, band shows featuring local and national bands, different sports competition, Sangyaw Awards which gives honors to outstanding Taclobanons, Sangyaw Festival of Lights and the Balyuan rites involving the images of Sto. Niño de Tacloban and Sto. Niño of Basey.
Mayor Romualdez said that as this year marks its 10th year after it was revived by her husband, former mayor Alfred Romualdez, she want it to be a bigger spectacle both the city residents and visitor could enjoy.
More than 15 contingents are to compete in this year’s Sangyaw Festival’ Parade of Lights. Four of them are from Biliran, Surigao, Pinabacdao and Hinabangan, both in Samar.
The city mayor was quick to say that while this year’s Sangyaw Festival will be bigger compare to previous years, they will see to it that they will not spend so much.
“We will be working on a limited budget as we asked sponsorship (from private companies),” she said.
She declined to say as to how much the city government has allocated for this year’s fiesta celebration.
Security will also be tight across the city during the month-long celebration, particularly in areas where there are activities being held, to ensure the safety of the public.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
