Iriga celebrates Tinagba Festival

MANILA, Philippines - Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Iya Villania, Jon Avila, Mark Herras, Rainier Castillo, Ryza Cenon, Chynna Ortaleza and Angelica Jones add glitter and excitement to Iriga City, Bicol’s celebration of its annual Tinagba Festival from Feb. 5 to 11. Each will join a float during the character float parade tomorrow, Feb. 11. Noel Cabangon who sang and composed Beautiful City of Iriga will also attend the grand celebration.    

Tinagba Festival is an ancient Bicol first harvest offering that features gaily-decorated bull carts/motorized floats. It also features revelers in mardi gras and native costumes who dance and parade around the city.

Iriga Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen and the Irigueños are now enjoying the week-long festival, whose highlight is a spectacular street parade competition on Feb. 11, feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Other highlights include the character float parade, the 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown (moving choreography) where nine contingents will participate, the 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals Showdown (exhibition proper), musicians exhibition of competing contingents, fantillusion parade, awarding ceremonies, fireworks display and the ceremonial turn-over of Gayon Bicol Pinnacle. 

Nine contingents — Bicol’s famed festivals —will compete for the 2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Parade of Festivals.