CEBU - This year’s “Halad Inasal” Festival in Talisay City is said to be the simplest and most solemn in the recent years, said city officials and devotees of St. Teresa de Avila.
Talisay City Budget Officer Edgardo Mabunay said this is because they opted to completely offer the celebration to the patron saint.
The weather was also very cooperative yesterday that all eight dancing contingents were able to perform in less than four hours. The performances were held at the Talisay City Central School.
The performers- Talisay City and Cansojong National High School, Vicenta Manreal Elementary School, Lawaan National High School; Divino Amore Academy, Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish Pastoral Council and Parishioners, Talisay City College and the Local Government Unit of Talisay City - also rendered more solemn performances at the church grounds for the patroness.
Noticeable in yesterday’s celebration were the 10 floats bearing the different looks of the famous roasted pig from Talisay- there was a “motorcycle-riding lechon,” a “scuba diving lechon” and even a “helicopter flying lechon.”
Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez encouraged Talisaynons to imbibe within themselves the virtues espoused by the patron saint, including humility, living a life of prayer; obedience, and taking the effort to save other souls.
There were 60 contingents that joined the festival in 2006 but the number was dropped to nine last year. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)