ORMOC CITY — Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)-Ormoc Campus showcased its cultural artistry and performance excellence after its contingent, Pundok Sidlakan, captured the grand champion title in the 2026 Piña Festival Grand Ritual Showdown, one of the major highlights of Ormoc City’s annual fiesta celebration.
The colorful competition, held Sunday evening,June 21, featured performances that highlighted Ormoc’s rich heritage, creativity, and community spirit, drawing enthusiastic support from festival-goers and local officials.
Western Leyte College of Ormoc’s Pundok Kasadpan placed first runner-up, while New Ormoc City National High School’s Pundok Piñakabibong Kabataan secured the second runner-up honors.
New Ormoc City National High School also garnered the Best in Musicality award, while Miss Sherlyn Rosie Holmes of Western Leyte College was named the 2026 Festival Queen.
Speaking during the festivities, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez described the Piña Festival as a celebration of the city’s resilience, creativity, and shared identity.
“This festival is the mirror of our community’s journey — a celebration of how we transform our hard work into art and our challenges into triumphs,” she said.
The mayor emphasized that even as Ormoc continues to grow and develop, its people remain deeply connected to their traditions, faith, and cultural roots.
Torres-Gomez also thanked the Ormoc Fiesta Executive Committee and the Ormoc Festival and Cultural Foundation (OFCF) for organizing the month-long celebration, giving special recognition to Estrella Maria Serafica-Pangilinan and Jude Abenoja for spearheading various festival activities.
She likewise acknowledged the support of committee members and festival organizers in implementing a more streamlined celebration this year.
“Smaller does not always mean less. Smaller also means quality and not just quantity,” the mayor said, citing the improved quality of performances showcased during the competition.
Torres-Gomez commended all participating groups for raising the standard of the annual showdown and expressed confidence that future editions of the festival would become even more spectacular.
As the festivities continued, the mayor stressed that the true essence of the Piña Festival lies in the unity and collective pride of the Ormocanons.
“The beauty of this festival lies in our togetherness. Let us hold on to this joy and let it remind us of what we can achieve when we move as one,” she said.
She also thanked members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city’s congressional representative, and the people of Ormoc for their continued support in advancing the city’s development.
The Piña Festival remains one of Ormoc City’s most anticipated cultural celebrations, showcasing local talent, artistic excellence, and the community’s enduring pride in its heritage.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
