By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- The local government of Bayog has thanked the people of its municipality for actively supporting its 45th founding anniversary highlighted by the “Palad-palad Festival.”
In the grand finale’s opening program at the municipal government center, mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr. said he was deeply elated on the support shown by the municipal and barangay officials, teachers, students, parents, and employees for the successful conduct of the eight-day event from on May 1 to May 8.
“Palad-Palad” is a Subanen term, which means “thanksgiving.” The festival is a gesture of thanks and gratitude to the Lord for the blessings and bountiful harvest.
“The founding anniversary was centered on the festival because we would like to give back to God the blessings that He bestowed upon us every year and with the hope that the same blessings will be poured in the coming years,” Babasa said.
The celebration was also held in honor of the past leaders who made significant contributions in the municipality.
The festival showdown was participated in by seven colorful contingents from the 28 barangays, which were grouped into clusters.
Babasa said he decided to launch the festival this year to provide entertainment to the visitors and public.
Deporehan barangay chairman Basilio Promon said he was very happy to join the festival.
“Dako kaayo akong kalipay nga nakaapil ko ani nga festival. Sa pagkatinuod, unang higayon nako nga nakaapil ug sayaw ug napakita ang among talento sa Subanen nga sayaw isip papagpakita sa mga dumuduong ang kaanindot ug kaadunahan sa atong kultura (I was very happy that I have joined this festival. In fact, this is my first time to perform and to show our talents in performing Subanen dance for our visitors to know the beauty and richness of our culture),” Promon said, who was dressed in native costume and performed the traditional Subanen dance and rituals.
Bobuan barangay councilor Ruth Cadallo, also a participant like Promon, said it was also her first time to join the festival.
“Ang festival sa pagkatinuod nakadasig kanamo nga magkahiusa uban sa pagpadayag ug pagpaambit sa among kultura. Nanghinaut ako nga kini ang ipadayon gayud pagpatuman sa among hepe ehekutibo matag-tuig. (The festival indeed has encouraged us to be united by showing and sharing our culture. I hope that this will continue to be implemented by our chief executive ever year),” Cadallo said.
The festival committee has allocated P65,000 for the prizes.
This year’s prizes were: Champion –P20,000; 1st runner-up- 15,000; second runner-up – 10,000; and a consolation prize of 5,000 each.
This year’s winners were: Champion – cluster 1 (barangays Deporehan, Canoayan, Bobuan, Liba and Bantal); 1st runner-up – cluster 7 (Poblacion); and 2nd runner-up – cluster 6 (Kahayagan).
The municipal government with the participation and support of barangay officials organized the festival. (ALT/PIA9/GCC/ZamboSur)
