Mandaue allots P2.8 million for festival contingents

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council has approved the P2.8-million budget intended for the eight clustered groups joining the Panagtagbo sa Mandaue Festival on May 6, which is part of Mandaue City Fiesta activities.

Councilor Maline Cortes-Zafra, principal author of the ordinance, said there are 27 barangays in the city but Barangay Paknaan begged off to join as it had just celebrated its own Silhig Festival and will just participate next year instead.

Zafra said the amount was in response to the barangay captains’ request to augment their expenses for their delegates, especially for the food during practice sessions, as well as for the cost of the costumes of the participants.

The eight groups are Cluster 1 (Barangays Subangdaku, Guizo and Tipolo); Cluster 2 (Barangays Centro, Mantuyong, Ibabao-Estancia, and Alang-Alang); Cluster 3 (Barangays Looc, Opao and Cambaro); Cluster 4 (Barangays Labogon and Umapad); Cluster 5 (Tabok, Basak, and Jagobiao); Cluster 6 (Barangays Bakilid, Banilad and Maguikay);  Cluster 7 (Barangays Casuntingan, Cabangcalan and Tingub); and Cluster 8 (Casili, Cubacub, Tawason, Canduman and Pagsabungan).

Cortes said the Panagtagbo Festival, Mandaue’s very own festival, started way back during the time of Mayor Jonas Cortes in his early term as city mayor in 2012.  This year is a comeback.

A street dancing on May 6 will feature the eight clustered groups.

“Exclusive ra gyud ni ang event sa eight clustered barangays. Wala tay mga guest from other places,” said Zafra.

“Panagtagbo,” a Cebuano term for “traslacion,” is a re-enactment, through dance, of the meeting of the blessed Señor Sto. Niño, Mother Mary, and St. Joseph. (CEBU NEWS)