KANANGA, Leyte– The major streets of this town burst into color and rhythm on Sunday, June 15, as it marked the third year of its Kaanyag Festival, celebrating local heritage with vibrant performances and an intensified dance competition.
Now a highlight of Kananga’s cultural calendar, the festival featured six contingents competing in school-based and open categories during the much-anticipated ritual dance showdown, held in celebration of the town’s 75th founding anniversary.
In the school-based category were Kananga II District (Mattswerting Kanangahanon), Kananga III District (Banay Alimyon), and Kananga I District (Kanangahanong Mattahum).
The open category featured ‘Tribu ni Don Mariano Lantawan Festival’ of Capoocan, Leyte; STI College Ormoc/Ormoc City’s ‘Pundok sa Nagkahiusang Ormocanon’, and ‘Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat’.
Mayor Manuel Vicente “Matt” Torres expressed his gratitude to the performers and spectators, saying he hopes to see Kananga Kaanyag compete on national stages like Sinulog in Cebu and Aliwan Festival in Metro Manila.
“This festival is a vital cultural heritage of Kananga,” said Torres, emphasizing that it was the result of “intensive and comprehensive cultural mapping” in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Adding flair to the festivities was the Kananga Kaanyag Festival Queen 2025 competition, with the following finalists Arian Mae Cogay (Kananga II District), Shielo Sabornido (Kananga III), Pia Lovelle Omega (Kananga I), Eliana Gunabe Igamen (Tribu ni Don Mariano), Ashley Marie Rojas (STI College Ormoc), and Rea Joy Encienzo Cometa (Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat).
This year’s festival saw a significant boost in prize money, heightening the excitement among participants. The top award for the ritual dance competition rose from P200,000 to P500,000, while the street dance prize increased from P20,000 to P50,000—a fitting tribute to the town’s diamond jubilee celebration.
(RONALD O. REYES)
