TACLOBAN city has lined up various activities for this year’s “Happiest Fiesta” celebration in honor of patron Senor Sto. Nino.
Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez enjoined visitors to celebrate with them during the festivities, adding that they have partnered with religious and civic sectors for its Sangyaw festivities from June 1 to 30.
From nightly performances at the Sangyawan Music Festival featuring local and Manila-based bands which opened on June 1 at the Balyu-an grounds, cultural shows and a fiesta fair will also be held at Plaza Rizal starting June 14 to June 27.
Now on its seventh year, the “Sangyaw Festival of Lights” featuring creatively decorated and brightly lighted floats and dance contingents performing ritual dance routines will serve as the main event of this year’s festivities on June 29, said Henry James Roca of the City Information Office.
Other highlights are the Miss Tacloban Coronation Night on June 22, the Sangyaw Foundation Ball and Balik Tacloban Night on June 26.
International, national and regional sports events include 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 Jetski Competition (June 13-15), and 11th Cancabato Sports Competition (June 21).
An art show and festival costume competition dubbed as “Sangyawan Han Isla Sinirangan” on June 22-28, added Roca.
For the 130th Tacloban fiesta religious activities, pre-Balyuan Rites will happen on June 18 and Balyuan Rites on June 20.
The traditional fluvial and land processions, and Pontifical Mass are on June 30, fiesta day.
The city’s official festival “Sangyaw Festival” which means “to announce or herald a news” started in 1976 until 1986.
It was revived by Mayor Alfred Romualdez in 2008.
In 2012, the festival started to feature floats with light-emitting diodes (LED lights) “to highlight Tacloban’s ascent as one of the most competitive cities in the country.” (SunStar Philippines)