Tudela's Balanghoy Festival

CEBU, Philippines - Cassava, known for its edible tuberous roots which yield a nutritious starch, is Tudela's main produce. Being its people’s dietary and occupational supplement, cassava is given due importance. Vice Mayor Clint Maratas supported by Mayor Erwin Yu, spearheaded a festival designed to express their merry sentiments in time for the feast of the town's Patron, Mary Immaculate Conception on December eight.

The presentation of this festival has greatly evolved into something at par with the existing premiere festivals of the province. That's when eleven barangay contingents joined for the search of this year's winner. The big bang was its grand finale, the rendition of "Pasigarbo sa Sugbo" with "balanghoy" dance movements and "One Cebu", where it looked like all the participants tirelessly sacrificed a great deal of time to master their routine. "It was a very satisfying experience. The outcome was worth the effort (and the money spent)", laughed festival consultant Lyndee Socorro Garciano.

Pundok Ira-id, high school students of Puertobello, won first prize and Best in Streetdancing. The second and third placers went to an all elementary-pupil ensemble Pundok Puto Binagol of Secante Bag-o and Pundok Cassava Cake of Southern Poblacion respectively.

Tudela is a small municipality of the islands of Camotes situated east of Cebu and west of Leyte. Its townspeople are engaged in agriculture and fishing. Known as Tag-anito before the coming of the Spaniards, Tudela was originally a barangay under the Municipality of Poro until its residents succeeded in creating a separate town. (FREEMAN)