Paknaan to launch "Silhig" fest Sunday

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City, known for its brooms, will launch “Silhig Festival” on February 5, barangay captain Malaquias Soco said.

“Silhig” will highlight street dancing and a “dance showdown” which will be held from 2 p.m. onwards.

Five contingents will join the festival and compete for honors this Sunday.

The barangays have set aside P150,000 to hold the festival.

Top winner in the dance showdown will walk home with P15,000.

Ten thousand pesos will go to the second prize winner, while the third placer will get P5,000.

Non-winning contingents will each be given P1,500.

 The best in street dancing will receive P5,000. 

So where does the barangay get the materials to make brooms?

Well, there are buri trees aplenty for everybody.

Enterprising residents also make bags and other things from buri.

Buri may be helping residents make a living but the barangay cuts down old buri trees that grow near houses as a precautionary measure, Soco said.

Felling some trees doesn’t mean the barangay would have no buri tree left in the future.

Soco said, “Nothing to worry about. The tree bears fruit.” - THE FREEMAN