Sam Costanilla
Spotlight

THIS year’s Bantayan Palawod Festival, held the other Monday, was another successful tourism event organized by the local government unit headed by Mayor Geralyn Escario-Cañares and Vice Mayor Dale Escario.

As the event’s emcee, this writer was able to observe how the mayor, vice mayor, the councilors, the barangay captains, the students and the business establishments worked together in staging a fantastic cultural event. The event involved an afternoon street dancing competition as well as a ritual/showdown contest that truly delighted the general public.

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THERE were eight participating contingents made up of clusters of barangays with Bantayan elementary pupils and high school and college students as dancers.

Gov. Gwen Garcia and Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon as well as the rest of the VIPs were one in saying that the “9th Palawod Festival” was a well-prepared presentation that deserves some global exposure via the internet. By the way, Palawod means “to go out to the sea to fish or harvest the bounty of the seas.”

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THE PANEL of judges had a tough task in choosing the top three winning contingents. All of them used very colorful props and costumes and applied spirited dance steps. Students of Patao National High School were declared winners in both street dancing and ritual/showdown competitions. I won’t be surprised if this particular contingent will win again in future festival contests.

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ANOTHER festival up for staging is Badian’s Banig Festival on July 23. The event is designed to honor the important role that the banig (mat) plays in the town’s tourism and economic upliftment. Mayor Carmen Lumain and Vice Mayor Fructuoso Caballero and the rest of Badian’s officialdom should be lauded for sustaining the festival as a yearly undertaking. My very talented friend Knorrie Apostol has been tapped again by the mayor to direct the day-long presentation.

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THIS writer had the honor of emceeing the golden wedding anniversary reception for former Customs Collector David Odilao Jr., a.k.a. Kuya Boy, and Ate Baby who renewed their marriage vows that they first exchanged 50 years ago. The reception was held at the grand ballroom of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu with the couple’s children, 17 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, other relatives and close friends attending. Wedding principal sponsors Sen. Manny Villar and Gov. Gwen Garcia gave short messages and wishes to the Odilao couple.

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KUYA Boy and Ate Baby are an epitome of a wonderful couple whose love and devotion for each other are beyond question. She is always there to support him and his undertakings for the community as a private citizen. By the way, Ate Baby’s advocacy is gardening. Now is her 15th year as president of the Talisay Garden Club, proof that her leadership is excellent, strong and perpetually vibrant.

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TOMORROW, Tuesday, watch my weekly program over CCTN 47 starting 10 p.m. My guests are the talented officers of the Cebu Association of Media Practitioners Inc., like Loy Jurado, Max Andrino and Louie Reyes. They will sing your favorite love songs. The other club officers like president Cong. Jun Alcover, Engr. Greg Senining and auditor Kuya Boy Odilao will also appear on my show. (E-mail: samcost@yahoo.com or call/text 09053434545)