Rains fail to dampen "Lapyahan Festival"

CEBU, Philippines - The rains and technical problem have failed to stop the staging of the second “Lapyahan Festival” in San Remigio town in northern Cebu.

With the top officials of the Cebu province in attendance, the festival went on as expected drawing a large crowd of mostly local people.

The event started at 1 p.m. with a street dancing that ended in the town plaza for the ritual showdown competition.

However, organizers of the event were later dismayed when the sound system they hired failed to play the Lapyahan Festival song tape prompting the committee to hire another sound system. But just like the first, the second sound system also could not play the festival song tape. 

It was already past 3 p.m. and the festival was supposed to begin as guests have already started arriving at the venue.

Mayor Mariano Martinez almost raised his temper when he learned of the incident, which was eventually solved before the special guests arrived.

Fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon first arrived on stage shortly before the rain shower started and he was met by Martinez’s son, Miguel, who is the chairperson of the executive committee.

The dancing competition begun upon the arrival of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who was accompanied to the venue of Mayor Martinez.

The Tribu Lapyahanon of San Remigio National High School was adjudged as the grand prize winner among the five participating contingents. It also won the awards as best in street dancing and best in costume.

The festival was the major highlight of the feast of St. John de Nepomuceno, the patron saint of San Remigio town.

Garcia, in her speech promised to continue supporting the endeavor of the local government officials after she saw the enthusiasm and energy of the contingents.

Municipal tourism officer Paterno Muñez said that there are 27 barangays in San Remigio but they only tapped the seven high schools. He said there were only five contingents since the other two high schools just merged with other schools due to budgetary constraints.

Martinez said that it was the second time they have the festival and they vowed to make it bigger and more colorful next year and beyond. — Gregg M. Rubio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)