Tacloban Fiesta 2008

Pintados Kasadyaan, '08-the winning delegation, "Buyogan"
of Abuyog, Leyte



Pintados Kasadyaan 2008

Sangyaw 2008. invited delegations from Makati, Marikina and Bacolod

Sometime more is not always better especially if the increase in number is brought about by a great political divide. So it was that the recent Tacloban City fiesta was celebrated last June with two organizers, two festivals, two main venue and two parades. There was the Sangyaw Festival which was spearheaded by the city government headed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez on one hand and the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals each claiming to be the true and the best. The venue for the former was the Balyu an Tower while that of the latter was the RTR Plaza. Each tried to outshine the other in terms of gimmicks and nightly fanfare. While it could be said that the rivalry was divisive, the result gave the city two occasions to showcase its rich culture. As to which was better, the answer would depend on which political side you were on.

As the pictures show, the Pintados and Sangyaw Festivals indeed have gone a long way from its humble beginnings as the costumes of the diffrent delegations are now more colorful and the dance steps more intricate. Just imagine how much grander it could have been has the celebration been a joint one.