CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s Lumad Basakanon and the Garbo sa Lapu-Lapu will be representing Cebu in the Kasanggayahan National Festival of Festivals competition in Sorsogon next month.
The two contingents were personally invited by the Province of Sorsogon to participate in the competition.
Basak-San Nicolas barangay captain Norman Navarro, who heads Lumad Basakanon, said they received the invitation through the city’s tourism office. Navarro said this is the first time that Sorsogon allows other local government units to participate in the competition.
“First time ni namo didto kay first time pa pud ni nila nga gi-open ni nga competition unya nagpada ni sila’g invitation sa tourism office,” Navarro said.
In return for their participation, Sorsogon has promised to also send a contingent in the upcoming Sinulog in January next year. Navarro said their participation in the Ksanggayahan Festival will be funded by the city government. They are also expecting a subsidy from the provincial government of Sorsogon.
The Lumad Basakanon will be bringing in a hundred dancers and propsmen. Despite the very short period of time to prepare, Navarro said they accepted the invitation to showcase the Cebuano talents in another part of the country.
Navarro said that since they do not have any more time to change concepts, they will improvise since they also have Sinulog Festival to prepare to.
“Paningkamutan lang gyud ni namo kutob sa makaya…Maningkamot tang makapakita ta’g bongga kay kita biyay gi-imbitar didto ba,” said Navarro.
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City tourism head Garry Lao said he will lead the Garbo sa Lapu-Lapu contingent. Despite the financial challenge, Lao said they have decided to participate.
“It is a privilege in itself to be invited by Sorsogon,” Lao told The Freeman.
He thanked Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan for supporting his decision to accept the invitation from Sorsogon. Lao said they will be presenting a brandnew concept for the Kasanggayahan National Festival of Festivals to show that they are indeed worthy of such invitation. — (FREEMAN)