Koreans to join "Kadaugan" street party

CEBU, Philippines - The association of Korean residents in Cebu will participate in this year’s celebration of the “Kadaugan Street Party” on April 27 and 28.

Kim Sang Hyun, vice president of the Cebu Koreans Association in Cebu made the announcement in yesterday’s press conference called by Councilor Harry Don Radaza.

Hyun said they received the invitation from the Kadaugan Street Party committee last month and decided to join after discussing the matter with their officers and members.

According to Hyun, despite the limited time for their preparation they will try their best to help make the celebration a success.

He said the association will showcase Korean dances and songs with the support of Filipino dancers.

He said the occasion will help strengthen the relationship of Koreans in Cebu with the people of Lapu-Lapu City.

Hyun said he would extend invitations to people of the city to join festivals in Korea.

For his part, Councilor Radaza welcomed the new development, adding that it will add color to the celebration.

More than 15,000 Koreans now live in Metro Cebu and neighboring cities and towns.

In a related development, the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System yesterday said it will close a portion of the Manuel L. Quezon National Highway to vehicular traffic starting on the morning of April 27 until April 28 midnight in connection with the celebration of the “Kadaugan Street Party.”

CTMS said the closure of vehicular traffic will start from the intersection of Mandaue-Mactan Bridge to the junction of Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge.

Starting 6 a.m. on April 27, the lane adjacent to city hall will be closed to vehicular traffic and will be re-opened at 6 a.m. on April 29.

On April 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, the opposite lane will also be closed to vehicular traffic.

More than 60,000 residents of Lapu-Lapu City are expected to watch movie actors in the reenactment of the “Battle of Mactan” now called “Kadaugan sa Mactan” on April 27.

Richard Quan will play the role of Datu Lapu-Lapu, Geneva Cruz will be Reyna Bulakna, and Patrick Garcia will strut as Ferdinand Magellan.

The budget for the celebration of “Kadaugan” have shrunk from P1,600,000 last year to P1.2 million this year but Mayor Paz Radaza said a reduced budget should not prevent the city from making the celebration a big success. She also said the private sector will support the celebration.

Councilor Harry Don Radaza, for his part, will leave no stones unturned to make the “Kadaugan Street Party,” another attraction to the city’s 2-day-long celebration, a sensation despite a deficiency in the budget.