Palompon holds 2nd Lawig Festival

PALOMPON, LEYTE, Philippines  – The town’s 2nd Lawig Festival was held recently in honor of its patron saint, St. Francis Xavier or “Señor San Iko.’

This year, the festival’s streetdance competition was divided into three categories: high school, institutional and the “higantes,” according to Vice Mayor Georgina Arevalo to level the playing field of the competitors.

The high school category was won by the Taberna High School, the defending champion, while the Tinabilan National High School placed second and the Palompon National High School placed third.

In the institutional category, the winner was the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), followed by the Sangguniang Kabataan at 2nd place and the Association of Barangay Councils at 3rd place.

The winner in the “higantes” competition was Brgy. Ipil 2, followed by Brgy. Central 3 at 2nd and Brgy. Central 1 at 3rd.

Doctor John Kent Juanero, chairman of the 1st festival committee, earlier said they decided to call the festival “Lawig,” which means to “sail on” in English, as Palompon is a coastal town with a rich history tied to the seas and sailing, linked to St. Francis Xavier who was a known sailor himself.

Same as last year’s, this year’s Lawig Festival depicted Palompon’s journey through time, with the streetdance’s basic steps choreographed by Ricky Ligaton from Ormoc City.

For the Lawig Festival Queen pageant, 12 festival queens from the participating contingents vied for the crown, which was eventually won by Dindee Athena Maguikay of the Palompon North District. She also reaped the Most Photogenic, Best in Festival Gown and Ms Tourism awards, besides topping the text votes.

The 1st runner-up was Caryl Donayre of the PIT, who also won the Best in Production and Best in Dance Presentation awards. The 2nd runner-up was Frances Mae Gochoco.  (FREEMAN)