HILONGOS, LEYTE, Philippines – The performance of the University of the Visayas Drum and Bugle Corps and the Fire in the Belly fire dancing group awed thousands of residents of this town during the 2011 Hilongos Fiesta opening salvo.
Mayor Jose Emery Roble, in his speech, thanked Rep. Eduardo Gullas (1st district, Cebu), UV president, and The Freeman board chairman Dr. Jose Gullas, UV executive vice president, for letting the performing groups of their institution to perform during the town fiesta.
“The UV delegation gave us a chance to have a glance of their expertise, and a venue to share our two cultures in sports and related fields. The Gullases, being Leyteños, are not strangers from this place and allowing the UV performers to be here is a fitting gesture on their part as it boosts local tourism and connects the peoples of Leyte and Cebu,” Roble said.
Roble also thanked Dr. Philadelfa Vesta, head of the UV Drum and Bugle Corps, and Joy Verula, professional dancer, teacher, performer and choreographer of the Fire in the Belly group.
Verula was also the 2009 winner of GMA7 Eat Bulaga’s “Kahit Sino Pwede” contest. Her group consisted of Ramon, Jericho Pesons, Jace Magallanes, Roberto Ruiz Jr. and Ryan Macoy—all professional fire dancers.
Besides the show of the Cebu City groups, other activities during the fiesta opening were boxing and taekwando tournaments, lanterns, fireworks and local performers. - THE FREEMAN