Bigger, livelier party for 'Kadaugan' 2014

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government is giving away over P1 million in prizes for this year's Kadaugan Street Party which will be held this coming April 25-27.

The Kadaugan Street Party is an annual event in the city as part of the commemoration of Datu Lapu-Lapu's victory against Spanish colonizers.

During yesterday's press conference, City Councilor Harry Radaza, the event's organizer, said that from the usual two days, they have decided to hold the party for three days to accommodate more activities.

Thus they expected a much bigger crowd this year as compared to the 400,000 people who joined the revelry along M.L. Quezon Highway last year.

"The Kadaugan is becoming bigger and livelier," Radaza said.

The city first staged the street party in 2011 along with the reenactment of the historic battle between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on the shores of Mactan. The battle took place on April  27, 1521.

A new addition in the event is the Kahayag Parade, which Radaza said will be "a spectacle of  light." The parade, which will feature higante, float and light contests, will be held on  April 26.

The Rampada, or the street dancing contest, will be staged at 7 p.m. on April 27. The whole M.L. Quezon Highway will be closed to give way to the street dancers and revelers.

Radaza also assured that security measures are in place during the three-day event. Security personnel will be deployed on the road between the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

He added that glass bottles and sharp barbecue sticks will still be prohibited this year to help ensure no one gets hurt as the party goes.

The organizers will partner with Internet providers to provide free Wi-Fi access to the crowd so participants can take and post pictures on social media to help market the Kadaugan Street Party to the whole world.

Despite the limited resources, city officials of Lapu-Lapu have earlier assured the success of the reenactment of the 493rd "Kadaugan sa Mactan" this coming April 27 at the Mactan Shrine in Barangay Mactan.

City Mayor Paz Radaza said the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office has been given the task to make all the preparations for the weeklong celebration.

Radaza said that they are now  finalizing all activities and programs lined up for the incoming celebration.

It was not clear whether the city officials will invite movie actors and an actress to play the role of  Datu Lapu-Lapu, Ferdinand Magellan and Bulakna, the wife of Lapu-Lapu.  (FREEMAN)