Mandaue gears up for "Comparsa"

CEBU, Philippines - Ten barangay clusters in Mandaue City will participate in tomorrow's first "Comparsa Festival" that will highlight the history, culture and the Mandauehanon spirit through dance and live music.

In yesterday's press briefing, Emilio Pascual, Historical consultant of Mandaue City, said that despite being pressed for time, every contingent worked hard to ensure that the event would turn out to be successful.

Pascual said barangay captains in coordination with councilors assigned to clusters worked hard and provided financial supports.

"Nalipay kita nga ang atong mga kapitan ug mga konsehal sa dakbayan nagtinabangay sa problema sa ilang mga cluster, kay gamay ra man gayud ang atong gi-subsidize nila nga financial assistance," Pascual said.

The city government allocated P6 million for this year's launching of the affair.

Mayor Jonas Cortes and his wife Sarah will lead the launching of "Comparsa," a unique festival that would showcase the city's history, heritage, and culture of Mandaue residents.

Pascual said that in the l950's and 1960's, "Comparsa" or competition in Spanish, brought together communities and developed the Mandauehanons' talents and skills, allowing for culture to flourish.

The city government of Mandaue and Mandaue CHEST Foundation, Inc. are reviving the "Comparsa sa Mandawe."

It is a musical dance theater competition where the imagination is the artist's only limitation, he said.

"Comparsa," according to Pascual, will provide the venue for Mandaue residents to showcase their artistic talent and skills.

Pascual said the new format will initiate a major tourism event for the city and attract attention to the cultural and historical assets of the city.

He said tourists will witness an activity something they have not witnessed anywhere yet.

Like the olden days, this community-centric festival aims to strengthen the spirit of kinship among neighbors by allowing them full participation in the festival.

The street performance will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Mandaue City Plaza while the musical dance theater competition will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, the City Traffic Enforcement Office said it would introduce minor rerouting of vehicles to give way to the festival.

Domingo Cortes, administrative officer of Team office, said "no entry" signs for vehicles, both private and public have been put up at Andres Soriano Avenue and Sotero Cabahug Extension, Gomez and S.B. Cabahug, S.B. Cabahug and A. Del Rosario Avenue and P. Burgos-Catalino Ouano Street, at the city proper. (THE FREEMAN)