THE municipality of Ilog in southern Negros Occidental celebrated its annual Kisi-Kisi festival on March 20 to 25.

The annual fiesta showcased the town’s abundance of fresh seafood including their famous steamed oysters (talaba) and other crustacean seafood like fish, crabs, shrimps, and prawns.

This was made available to the public in an exciting free eat-all-you-can talaba and other seafood.

Councilor Rey Cordova said the town’s festival was a resounding success where a lot of people enjoyed the festivity and foods.

Ten villages participated in the street dance competition held on Sunday, March 25.

Cordova said the famous eat-all-you-can steamed oyster was a come-on to the visitors and even to residents who loved to eat talaba, which is a good source of essential nutrients.

“Our town is known for its high production of oysters where sellers get their everyday supplies from our town. During the eat-all-you-can talaba held on Saturday, two dump trucks fully loaded with talaba were made available to the public,” he said.

He said provincial and local officials led by Mayor Genaro Alvarez, and sister, 6th District Representative Mercedes Alvarez, supported the staging of the Kisi-Kisi Festival and the pageant.

Meanwhile, Dwight Morana, Kisi-Kisi pageant director, said this year’s Kisi-Kisi Queen is Hannah Claudette Lladoc. Vina Marie Pena and Claire Therese Porras finished first and second runner-up, respectively.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Ilog Councilor Mark Vargas crowned the Kisi-Kisi Queen. (Rolly Gestupa)