TACLOBAN CITY – Eleven cultural contingents from various towns and cities in Samar province are set to compete in the much-awaited Tandaya Festival of Festivals on August 5, to be held in Calbayog City as part of the province’s 184th founding anniversary celebration.
Headlining the lineup is the Hadang Festival of Calbayog City, which will defend its title after being crowned champion in last year’s competition.
The full list of participating contingents includes Hadang Festival – Calbayog City, Karabaw Festival – municipality of Gandara, Alimango Festival – municipality of Sta. Margarita, Tinago Festival – municipality of Tarangnan,Pahoy-Pahoy Festival – municipality of Calbiga, El Viajedor Festival – municipality of Sto. Niño,Manaragat Festival – Catbalogan City,Parag-Uma Festival – municipality of San Jorge,Makarato Festival – municipality of Matuguinao, Kalinayan Festival – municipality of San Jose de Buan, and Padaraw Festival – municipality of Tagapul-an.
Winners will receive P1 million for first place, P500,000 for second, P350,000 for third, and P150,000 as consolation prizes for non-winners.
Before the ritual dance showdown at the Calbayog City Sports Complex, a street dance competition will be held along Calbayog’s city proper from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The local government is advising motorists to use the Calbayog Diversion Road to avoid traffic congestion.
This marks the third consecutive year Calbayog City is hosting the provincial festival. Previously, most Samar Day activities were concentrated in the capital, Catbalogan City, but the provincial government opted to rotate hosting to allow broader participation and celebration across the province.
The Tandaya Festival of Festivals commemorates the founding of Samar as a province on August 11, 1841, following a Royal Decree issued by Queen Isabella II of Spain.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
