Tinga leads Taguig festival, regatta

Mayor Freddie Tinga led thousands of Taguig residents in celebrating the centuries-old Sta. Anang Banak Festival, featuring a regatta, a streamer parade and the Pagodahan fluvial parade yesterday.

The Pandangguhan dancing procession capped the day-long religious celebration. It showcased the best costumes and dancing talents of the participants, according to Mayor Tinga.

As related by the elders of the town, legend has is that a mysterious lady appeared by the river to tell fishermen to cast their nets to catch large supplies of banak before the floods come.

The farmers did as they were told, and the mysterious lady disappeared, only to appear later as a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Faithful residents believed that it was the apparition of the Virgin Mary that told them to catch fish at the most appropriate time. In veneration of the mysterious lady, the residents built a church named after St. Anne.

From then on, it has become a yearly celebration for the people of Taguig, and the fluvial festival has become the main activity of people from all walks of life.

Tinga led the celebration along with Vice Mayor Loida Labao Alzona, town councilors, Samahang Kabataan (SK) officers and village officials. DepEd Taguig division superintendent Jovita Calixihan brought in students and teachers for the citywide celebrations.