Gwen, Durano clan grace Sogod festival

 CEBU, Philippines - Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia graced the fifth Panagsogod Festival last Wednesday in Sogod town with the Durano clan, her political rival.

Present during the event were Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board Member Jude Durano-Sybico and Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano of Cebu’s fifth district, all members of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party.

Sogod is headed by Mayor Lissa Marie “Moonyeen” Durano, also a member of Bakud Party.

Bakud has severed ties with Garcia’s One Cebu Party and forged an alliance with the Liberal Party (LP).

Also present were Garcia’s son-in-law, Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco, Catmon Mayor Dan Jusay and Tudela Mayor Erwin Yu .

The Panagsogod Festival is the highlight of the town’s fiesta celebration in honor of its patron saint, Saint James the Apostle.

Kulturang Sogoranon composed of the clustered Barangays Liki, Damolog, Dakit and Lubo, was the grand champion in the ritual showdown competition and received P20,000 in cash.

The first runner-up, Tribu Cataiba and second runner-up, Pundok Kabatan-onang Sogoranon, received P15,000 and P5,000 respectively.

 The choreographer of Kulturang Sogoranon, Ramero Palabrica, was named best choreographer.

In street dancing, the Tribu Nagkahiusang Makugihong Sogoranon performed by the students of Sogod Central School representing Barangays Poblacion, Bawo, and Bagatayam grabbed the grand prize and Best in Costume awards.

The first runner-up for the street dancing category was Pundok Kabatan-onang Sogoranon while Bag-ong Sogoranon was the second runner up.

They received P5,000.00; P3,000.00 and P2,000.00 respectively.

Gov. Garcia lauded Mayor Durano for the successful staging of the Panagsogod Festival, which is now on its fifth year.

She said Sogod was one of the first towns that responded to her call for each local government unit to establish a festival as part of the province’s promotion of culture and heritage and to make Cebu the Festival Island of the Philippines.

Gov. Garcia added that each year, the dancers have become more graceful and more passionate in dancing during the ritual showdown.

The governor  also congratulated the barangay officials who participated in the festival.

She distributed P50,000 cash assistance for socio-cultural activities to the 18 barangays of the town.

For her part, Mayor Durano expressed her gratitude to Gov. Garcia for the support she has given to the town, not only for the Panagsogod Festival but also for all the projects implemented in Sogod.

The mayor said last year, Garcia gave financial assistance to the town for the concreting of the Sogod Reclamation Area, where the Panagsogod Festival was held.  (FREEMAN)