TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City government has cancelled several major events of this year’s Sangyaw Festival as part of scaled-down fiesta celebrations amid the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the city, a move earlier announced by Mayor Alfred Romualdez as local officials respond to the emergency situation.
In an advisory released by the City Tourism Operations Office in coordination with the city government, organizers confirmed the cancellation of four major festival highlights: the Sangyaw Float Competition, Sangyaw Drum and Lyre Competition, Sangyaw Mardi Gras, and the Lamrag Competition.
City officials said the decision was made after “careful consideration of the current situation,” stressing that public safety and the welfare of residents remain the local government’s primary concern.
Mayor Romualdez had earlier said that several fiesta-related activities would be scrapped as the city grapples with the fuel crisis, which has prompted the local government to realign priorities and conserve resources while addressing the impact of the disruption.
Despite the cancellation of several crowd-drawing events, the city government said a number of activities will still push through as scheduled.
Among those retained in this year’s Sangyaw Festival lineup are the pre-Balyuan activities, the traditional Balyuan rites, Sangyaw Dream Run, Sangyaw Parade of Lights and Festival Dance Competition, Miss Tacloban 2026, and the Sangyaw Music Festival.
The City Tourism Operations Office thanked participating schools, organizations, contingents, and individuals who had already prepared for the cancelled competitions, acknowledging the time, effort, and resources they had invested.
“We deeply regret any disappointment and inconvenience this may cause and respectfully ask for your understanding and continued support as we navigate this challenging period together,” the advisory stated.
The Sangyaw Festival is Tacloban City’s annual cultural celebration held in line with the city fiesta and the observance of the feast of Señor Santo Niño. It is one of Eastern Visayas’ biggest cultural events, known for showcasing Waray heritage through street performances, pageantry, music, and traditional rituals.
This year’s scaled-down celebration reflects the city government’s effort to strike a balance between preserving Tacloban’s cultural traditions and addressing urgent concerns brought about by the fuel crisis.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
