TACLOBAN CITY — Showcasing culture, history, and community pride, Daram National High School (DNHS) clinched the first-ever overall championship of the Daramsiyao Festival competition, a centerpiece event of Daramsiyao Festival, a newly-launched cultural festival of Daram, Samar.
The competition, held on Jan.14 during the municipality’s annual fiesta, brought together secondary schools across Daram to present performances rooted in the town’s history, beliefs, and cultural identity. Bagacay National High School secured the first runner-up spot, while Birawan National High School placed second runner-up.
Judges lauded DNHS for its cohesive choreography, striking costumes, and compelling storytelling that clearly conveyed the festival’s theme and spirit.
The Daramsiyao Festival is a newly institutionalized cultural celebration of the municipality. Daram Tourism Officer Nathan Abinguna said the festival reflects the shared vision of the Darameños, often called “Dream Daram,” symbolizing unity, resilience, and collective aspirations.
Abinguna explained that the festival also highlights the town’s strong faith and devotion to Señor Santo Niño, whom residents believe continues to guide and protect the community through challenges.
Drawing from local folklore, he added that the festival is inspired by the legend of the “Darangsiyao,” a black bird with red eyes believed to have guided the island’s early settlers—an enduring symbol of hope, direction, and perseverance for the people of Daram.
The Daramsiyao Festival Competition was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office through the Tourism and Enterprise Unit to promote local culture and encourage youth participation in cultural preservation.
Municipal Mayor Lucia Latorre-Astorga, Vice Mayor Ryan Philip Astorga, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan thanked participating schools, organizers, and residents for their strong support, noting that the Daramsiyao Festival is set to become a regular feature of Daram’s annual celebrations.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
