CEBU, Philippines - The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals of the Province of Cebu, now on its fourth year, continues to be exciting, meaningful and has turned out to be “a spectacle to witness”.
This was what Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, chairwoman of the committee on tourism in the Cebu Provincial Board, said in her welcome message as the grand showdown started last night at the Cebu International Convention Center.
“If we turn back briefly to the beginning, we are reminded of how hesitant LGUs were to join,” Magpale said.
Last year 32 festivals participated from all over the province but yesterday, there were 42 festivals.
Some well-known personalities watched the affair, including actor Richard Gomez and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
Local officials of Ilocos Norte, led by former first lady Rep. Imelda Marcos, and of South Cotabato, led by Governor Arthur Pingoy, also watched the event.
Magpale said that local and homegrown choreographers are relearning the rudiments of their craft and helping LGUs make their festivals outstanding.
“We therefore thank the local chief executives for their initiatives and efforts in convincing their constituents to cherish the memories of our past through their festivals,” she said.
The activity is already one of the major events in line with the founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu on August 6 under the administration of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. The CICC grounds were also full of people enjoying the midnight sale of One Cebu Expo inside the CICC.
The event ended with a fireworks display followed by a live band show entertaining spectators from Cebu’s urban centers and the towns.
The awarding ceremony will be held tomorrow still at the CICC with the repeat performance of winners who belong to the top ten.
The grand champion takes home a P1-million cash prize from the provincial government. (FREEMAN)