CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has approved the request of barangay San Nicolas to close for seven days two streets in the barangay for the second year of the “Kaplag-Buwad” Festival.
San Nicolas barangay captain Edgar Lauron has asked the city to allow the barangay to close Tomas Abella and Tres de Abril Streets where many of the festival activities would be held, including the trade fair, parade, and bingo games.
Other activities include a parade of the “tartanilla” and food tasting of dried fish for both local and foreign tourists. Dried fish vendors would even reportedly drop the prices of their goods during the festival.
The “Kaplag-Buwad” Festival will run from February 20 to 26. On February 26, the “Kaplag” Day, the barangay will hold its own Sinulog Mardi Gras.
The installation of Agrarian Reform Communities would also be held during the festival.
The festival is a way for the barangay to pay tribute to the Sto. Niño that residents in the barangay believe is the one giving them bounty and keeping their livelihood in selling dried fish prosperous.
An image of the child Jesus was reportedly found in a hut in San Nicolas 444 years ago.
The city has donated P300,000 to the barangay for the festival. – Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)