Province gives ?6M for Panagtagbo festival

CEBU, Philippines — After being impressed by the 10 barangay contingents joining the first-ever Mandaue City’s Panagtagbo Festival, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia promised that the Cebu Provincial Government will allocate ?6 million in financial assistance to the city government and to the contingents themselves.

Of the ?6 million, the governor also said in Sugbo News, the official Facebook page of the provincial government, that the ?3 million was for the city’s socio-cultural expenses, while ?300,000 was for each of the 10 participating barangays, matching the initial ?300,000 subsidy from the city.

The participating barangays and their festivals are Asunting Festival of Barangay Casuntingan, Bangkal Festival of Barangay Cabancalan, Candulambo Festival of Barangay Canduman, Kawayan sa Casili Festival of Barangay Casili, Abante Tabok Festival of Barangay Tabok, Suba nga Dako Festival of Subangdaku, Tableya Festival of Barangay Umapad, Sinugcub Festival of Barangay Cubacub, Linabog Festival of Barangay, and Silhig Festival of Barangay Paknaan.

Barangay Paknaan’s Silhig Festival got the most number of awards with six; Ritual Showdown second runner-up, Street Dancing second runner-up, Best in Audio Van, Best in Costume, Festival Queen 2024 first runner-up, and Best in Festival Costume (Festival Queen category).

Silhig Festival artistic director Jay-r Yosores said the Panagtagbo Festival gave them a whirlwind of emotions such as excitement, anxiety, and pride that one sees from the fruits of hard work.

“This, of course, is not a matter of luck or coincidence. This is just an affirmation of the unwavering passion and dedication of everyone, from the performers to the working staff working collectively in a unified goal and purpose as well as a common thirst to prove their worth,” said Yosores, a newbie in choreography.

For the Ritual Showdown category, the grand champion was Barangay Canduman, first runner-up Barangay Subangdaku, and second runner-up Barangay Tabok.

In Street Dancing, the grand champion was Barangay Tabok and first runner-up Barangay Subangdaku.

For the Special Awards: Best in Barangay Video Intro was Barangay Canduman, Best in Festival Jingle Barangay Canduman, and Best in Andas Barangay Cubacub.

For Festival Queen Barangay Cubacub won first place while Barangay Casili placed second.

Barangay Cubacub’s festival queen also won Miss Photogenic while Best in Festival Costume went to Barangay Paknaan.

This year’s Panagtagbo sa Mandaue Festival highlighted the festivals unique to the 10 participating barangays.

“Isip usa ka dakyaban kitang tanan karong adlawa nagtapok ug nagkahiusa para sa paghimaya sa Sagrada Pamilya. Ang ato nga pasundayag, shows how our faith sits at the heart of the celebration. Halad pasalamat sa tanang grasya nga atong nadawat,” Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said in his speech.

He added they gathered for three reasons; to honor the past, to celebrate the present, and to embrace the future with unwavering determination.

“Let us carve a future that is bold, bright and distinctly Mandauehanon,” he further said to the cheering crowd

Also, the 2024 Miss Mandaue was concluded last Saturday, where Stefanie Przewodnik clinched the title. First runner-up was Angela Aumonier and Second runner-up Kylah Mae dela Peña.

Przewodnik also won as Miss Toyota Team Cebu, Miss Waterworld, Miss Confident, and Miss Sky Fiber.

Aumonier also won as Miss Photogenic, Darling of the Press, and Best in Swimwear, while Dela Peña also won as Miss Congeniality, Best in Funwear, Best in Production Number, Best in Evening Gown, and Rye Aesthetics and Laser Center Ambassadress.

Best in Talent was Althea Mae Uy, Smart Texter’s Choice was Larsine Grace Jensen; and Britanny Verleysen won Miss Parkmall and Miss Fairfield Ambassdor.

Those two events are two of the major highlights of the city government’s 2024 midyear cultural summit that started last April 24, leading to the city’s celebration of the fiesta on May 8.

During the media launching, summit chairwoman Councilor Cynthia Remedio said the event is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and resilience.

“Let us move Mandaue by preserving our traditions strengthening our communities. Together, let us move Mandaue towards a future filled with promise and possibility. Let us continue to work hand in hand, to dream boldly, and to build a city that we can all be proud to call home,” Remedio said.

Councilor Marie Immaline Cortes-Zafra, chairwoman of the City Council Committee on Tourism, said the summit is a series of cultural and civic activities aimed at boosting the socio-cultural growth of the city.

“Indeed, Mandaue City is as resilient as the bamboo, and all the difficulties and problems are merely instruments to reveal its capacities and fullest potentials. For like diamonds, we are shaped by the challenges we face,” Zafra said. — (FREEMAN)