Soli-Soli Festival

A much anticipated event that features a colorful processional parade where people wearing traditional dresses perform a staged dance presentation to a distinctive beat is the Soli-Soli Festival of San Francisco, Camotes.

This festival, celebrated every third Sunday of March, is inspired from the lovely grass which is harvested from Lake Danao and woven into native handicrafts that are then sold to both local and mainland markets.

This year, Soli-Soli Festival was held coincidentally with the birthday of the late Alfredo Arquillano, Sr., former mayor of the town, last March 15.

Ten entries vied for the win – five contingents from the elementary department and another five for the secondary division.

Consuelo Elementary School and Lorenzo C. Tanza Memorial National High School won the grand prize, respectively. The latter also won for their contingent in the Festival Queen competition.

Gracing the occasion were Governor Gwen Garcia, Hon. Agnes Magpale (5th District), and the judges were Dolores Suzara and Ricky Ballesteros of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc., Cathy Vestil (Cebu Doctors’ University), Manuel Caalim (Hiyas ng Bituin Dance Company) and Ms. Marty Ybañez.

Viva Señor San Jose!