Goldberry Suites and Hotel joins Kadaugan Street Party in Mactan

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of party-goers converged at the parking area of Goldberry Suites and Hotel and spilled over out into the streets during the culmination of this year’s Kadaugan Street Party (KSP)  in Mactan. This was the hotel’s third year of participation in the Kadaugan sa Mactan’s week-long revelry held to commemorate Datu Lapu-Lapu’s victory over conquistador Ferdinand Magellan.

The festivities were officially started last April 19 with a Food Market Festival and other activities at the Mactan Shrine. The hotel’s team even spearheaded a hosting and singing event last April 25, where they initiated games and raffled furniture and Goldberry souvenir items like mugs and key chains.

Even before the KSP was about to start, the Goldberry staff were already hard at work preparing for the night’s event. Although already tired after having stayed up until dawn for the first part of the street party the night before, they were still in high spirits while they set up tents and booths for the food and beverages they were selling for the night.

Goldberry’s general manager Lilet Gallego shared that the energy they were feeling from the crowd milling about in the streets, starting from the foot of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge down to the city hall,  fuelled up their spirits and erased all their feelings of tiredness.  

She said, “We are still feeling this kind of high because it is very exciting to see everyone coming together for the party.This is a great opportunity for us not just to promote our hotel, but to be part of the city’s annual main event that will soon be known worldwide. There is a gratifying feeling that we are able to participate in the baby steps of the festival like how the Sinulog Festival started.We are really encouraged to join again next year because more and more people are converging to join this festivity and be proud of our heritage and freedom.”

For the night’s street party celebration, Goldberry paired up with HappyCebu.com, NU 107, Killer Bee and Midnight Works Media. The event was also held in partnership with Alchology and Tonyo’s restobar, which were responsible for bringing together a strong line-up of bands. The local bands featured were Skalibre 32, Shepherd’s Plaid, Ah’ Ka Souljahz, HeyDey and Holic.

Alchology’s top DJs were also part of the entertainment that wowed and kept the crowd pumping until the early hours of the morning.The food and beverages that were sold in their tents and booths came from event sponsors that included Mojitos Tequila, Tanduay Black, Manila Light, Colt 45, Nature’s Spring Water, Uratex, Virginia Food Products and Profoods.

 The start of the Rampadastreet dancing at 7pm fired up Goldberry’s band presentation. The Rampada, which became an annual event since it was started in 2011 and was since then considered as the highlight of the KSP, was participated in by young contestants wearing colorful and glittery costumes complete with elaborate headdresses made up of feathers and plumes. The mardi gras was highly reminiscent of the one held in the streets of Rio in Brazil, albeit tamer and lesser in size. The actual dance presentation of the contingents was held at the stage set up at the city hall.

Gallego said, “The Rampada really draws in the crowd, which usually grows in number right around midnight and that is when the street dancing and partying really starts.” 

 â€œWe are actually very happy to be doing this because aside from being part of our marketing efforts, we are also doing this to support the local government and strengthen our good relationship with them even more, thus we would like to extend our special thank you to Congressman Arturo Radaza, Mayor Paz Radaza, Councilor Harry Radaza, Barangay Captain Tranquilino Omolon and other city officials,” she shared. (FREEMAN)