TACLOBAN CITY – The towns of Catarman and Catubig emerged as major winners during the two main competitions held on Sunday, June 16, 2025, as part of the 60th founding anniversary celebration of Northern Samar.
In the Ibabao Festival Float Parade 2025, Catubig outshone 16 other municipalities to claim the championship title, along with a P450,000 cash prize. The float parade highlighted the towns’ creativity, vibrant colors, and use of local products and heritage in crafting eye-catching mobile exhibits.
Entries were judged based on relevance to the festival theme, innovative use of materials, distinct representation of the town’s identity, and overall visual and cultural impact.
The other winners of the float parade are 2nd place – San Jose (P350,000);3rd place – Palapag (P250,000); 4th place – Lope de Vega (2024 champion, P150,000); and 5th place – San Roque (P100,000).
Non-winning municipalities each received a P50,000 consolation prize.
Meanwhile, in the Ibabao Festival Dance Competition 2025, Catarman’s Tarum Festival claimed the grand championship, bringing home a P600,000 cash prize. The winners were awarded by Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Harris Ongchuan, and Vice Governor Clarence Dato.
Other dance competition winners include 2nd place – Kadayaw Festival of Pambujan (P400,000); 3rd place – Lobika Festival of Lope de Vega (P300,000); 4th place – Managgiti Festival of Las Navas (P200,000); and 5th place – Sakay-Sakay Festival of Catubig (P150,000).
Non-winning contingents each received a P100,000 consolation prize.
These festival events are among the highlights of Northern Samar’s diamond anniversary celebration, drawing crowds from across the province and showcasing the cultural vibrancy and creativity of its people.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
