TACLOBAN CITY-Preparations are underway for the month-long Sangyaw Festivities which is due to start this coming Saturday, June 1, 2019, with a motorcade that will pass through the city’s main thoroughfares at around 4 pm.
At least 40 vehicles will join the convoy that will signal the formal opening of the annual celebration in honor of Senor Sto. Niño.
The Grand Opening Program at the Sangyawan Grounds (Balyu-an Grounds) will follow shortly at 6 pm with the concert of popular Rock Band Razorback.
Several programs of activities are being prepared for the festival by the city government of Tacloban through the leadership of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez in partnership with the different religious and civic sectors in Tacloban.
Among the main events of this year’s festivities themed “Happiest Fiesta” is the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29.
The Parade of Lights features creatively decorated and brightly lighted floats and dance contingents performing ritual dance routines.
Other highlights are the Miss Tacloban Coronation Night on June 22, the Sangyaw Foundation Ball and Balik Tacloban Night on June 26, among others.
Nightly performances at the Sangyawan Music Festival featuring local and Manila-based bands, along with a number of Variety Shows will be starting at 6 pm on June 1.
Cultural shows and a fiesta fair will also be held at Plaza Rizal starting June 14 to June 27. The Sangyawan Han Isla Sinirangan, an Art Show and Festival Costume Competition will be staged on June 22-28.
Among the international, national and regional sports events in this year’s Sangyaw Festival are the 1st Sangyaw Table Tennis National Tournament (June 8-9), 3rd Mayor Cristina National Sepak Takraw (June 20-23), 7th Mr. Sangyaw Tacloban 2019 National Body Building Competition (June 27), Mayor Cristina Regional Open Chess Tournament (June 15-16), the International Jet ski Competition (June 13-15), and 11th Cancabato Sports Competition (June 21).
Religious activities for the 130th Tacloban Fiesta include the pre-Balyuan Rites on June 18 and Balyuan Rites on June 20, and the traditional fluvial and land processions, and Pontifical Mass on Fiesta Day, June 30.
The Sangyaw Festival is the official Festival of the Highly Urbanized City of Tacloban revived by former Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez in 2008.
“Sangyaw” is the local dialect term meaning “to Announce or Herald”. (HENRY JAMES ROCA/CIO)
