Halad sa Pagtuo ’26 poised as Cebu’s faith-based fest

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government is positioning Halad sa Pagtuo 2026 as the new blueprint for its annual showcase of faith and festivals, with the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) stressing that the celebration is not intended to compete with or be compared with the province’s former cultural competition, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

PTO head Rowenna Montecillo said Halad sa Pagtuo is an enhanced version of last year’s Pasundayag sa Pagtuo, which featured a solemn procession that ended at Plaza Independencia, followed by a Mass and the blessing of the carozzas.

“It’s not comparative to Pasigarbo sa Sugbo at all,” said Montecillo, emphasizing that the event is focused on faith and the presentation of Cebu’s festivals rather than competition.

This year’s event was renamed Halad sa Pagtuo as part of Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s push for a celebration centered on offering and bringing together Cebu’s town fiestas in one occasion.

According to Montecillo, Baricuatro wanted the province to bring the highlights of Cebu’s fiestas to the city, particularly the religious procession and Mass, while also giving communities an opportunity to present their festivals.

The centerpiece of Halad sa Pagtuo will be a procession featuring the patron saints of Cebu’s towns, with around 50 carozzas expected to take part.

Alcantara, Cordova and Daanbantayan, however, will not be able to participate because of their own festivities and scheduling conflicts.

Meanwhile, Cebu City will have two carozzas representing the Birhen sa Guadalupe and the Sto. Niño.

The procession will be followed by festival presentations from seven participating localities: Sinulog sa Carmen, Tuba Festival of Borbon, Bisnok Festival of Dumanjug, La Torta Festival of Argao, Hinulawan Festival of Toledo, Dagitab Festival of the City of Naga and Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City.

Montecillo stressed that the festival presentations will not be judged, distinguishing Halad sa Pagtuo from the competitive format associated with Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

“There is no contest, it’s just a plain presentation of their festivals,” she said.

Parish priests from the participating towns have also been invited to join their respective devotees and contingents. The priests will concelebrate the Mass and bless the carozzas after the procession.

The Capitol expects around 10,000 spectators for the event, which will be free to the public. Because of the anticipated crowd, access to the Cebu City Sports Center will be controlled and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The province will soon announce the details and the time when the public entrance will open.

The procession will assemble at ITAX, at the back of the Cebu Provincial Capitol Executive Building, before proceeding to the Capitol grounds and along Osmeña Boulevard toward the Cebu City Sports Center.

No road closure will be implemented for the procession, with only one lane to be utilized along the route.

After the program, carozzas returning to the Capitol will exit through the Kalubihan Barangay Hall, proceed to J. Alcantara Street, V. Rama Avenue and M. Velez Street before entering the Capitol compound.

Three entrances will be designated at the Cebu City Sports Center. The St. Vincent Hospital side will serve as the entrance for the carozzas, while the area between City Central and Abellana School will be used by the general public and spectators.

Officials and invited VIP guests will use the entrance beside Kalubihan Barangay Hall, in front of ACT.

Security will also be tightened, with nearly 300 personnel expected to be deployed and augmented by Cebu City and Cebu Province security forces, separate from the security personnel assigned to the Capitol.

The PTO hopes to conclude the activities by around 7:30 p.m. and sustain Halad sa Pagtuo as an annual celebration that will carry forward the province’s faith and festival traditions.

Halad sa Pagtuo comes nearly a year after the Baricuatro administration announced the discontinuation of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, a province-wide cultural competition launched under the previous administration.

The new celebration is being presented as a leaner showcase designed to bring Cebu’s festivals back into the spotlight. — /IHM (FREEMAN)