AFTER a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Rosquillos Festival of Liloan town, northern Cebu, will return on Saturday, May 27, 2023 with at least 14 barangays joining the street dancing competition.
This year will be the town's 176th annual fiesta celebration.
Russel Cañete, executive assistant of Liloan Mayor Alfredo "Aljew" Frasco, told SunStar Cebu that they expect more people witnessing this year's fiesta activities.
He said activities started last May 20 and will run until May 30. These include the opening salvo, fun walk, Rosquillos Festival Street Dancing, and the Queen of Liloan competition, among others.
Cañete said the festival will help boost the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as they will sell the town's delicacies to visitors through a food street.
The first Mayor Aljew Frasco Boat Race and Cup will also be held.
For the street dancing competition, eight clusters composed of 14 barangays are set to compete. The contingents are the following: Cluster 1 - Tribu Yatianon (Barangay Yati); Cluster 2 - Mahigugmaong Pamilya sa Taycal (Barangays Tayud and Calero); Cluster 3 - Banay Santacruzanon and Sanvicentahanon (Barangays San Vicente and Sta. Cruz); Cluster 4 - San Lacamula Cultural Troupe (Barangays San Roque, Labatan, Cabadiangan, Mulao and Tabla); Cluster 5 - Tribu Jubaynon (Barangay Jubay); Cluster 6 - Tribu Cotcotanon (Barangay Cotcot); Cluster 7 - Pundok Lungsoranon (Barangay Poblacion); and Cluster 8 - Catarman Cultural Troupe (Barangay Catarman).
Cañete said Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco, her husband Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and some officials from the neighboring town of Consolacion had been invited to attend the festivities.
However, there has been no confirmation of attendance from any of these officials yet, he said.
A series of meetings for the festival's final preparation, including security augmentation and budget allocation, are being held.
Rosquillos Festival is celebrated annually in honor of Liloan's patron saint, St. Ferdinand El Rey.
"Rosquillos" is Liloan town's primary delicacy.