Cebu Sinulog declared champion in Sorsogon festival tilt

Cebu's Sinulog Festival was declared champion in the Kasanggayahan National Festival of Festivals 2024 final competition, with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos as one of the judges, at the Sorsogon Sports Arena Wednesday night. The winning team brings home with them the PHP4 million prize. They also received the Best in Costume and Best in Moving Choreography awards, each worth PHP200,000. The Tanglawan Festival of San Jose Del Monte Bulacan was the first runner-up, winning PHP3 million and an additional PHP100,000 for the special award of Festival Queen. The Cagsawa Festival of Daraga Albay secured the second runner-up position and received PHP2 million. The Gayon Ciudad Festival of Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, was the third runner-up, winning PHP800,000 and a special award of Best in Music with a PHP200,000 cash prize. The Garbo Festival of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, was the fourth runner-up with a PHP500,000 prize. In an interview after the event, Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office chief Bobby Gigantone thanked all participating contingents and the panel of judges from the Cultural Center of the Philippines. "The winners deserved the awards with their best efforts. This is also our opportunity to say thank you to all the participating contingents to showcase their festivals. There's also a commitment from the governor that the province of Sorsogon will take part and participate in their festival," Gigantone said. He said that the festival is part of their marketing and promotion strategy to showcase their brand "Beautiful Sorsogon," where beauty is everywhere. "This is part of our entertainment tourism, something to do with showcasing the best of the best of Sorsogon in terms of our culture and tradition, not at par with other existing festivals, but we are trying to position Sorsogon as a prime tourist destination," he said. Gigantone also mentioned the positive impact of the festival on the local economy being felt by the fully booked hotel accommodations in the city proper and some neighbori ng towns. "With all the stakeholders in the industry, we are fully booked until Oct. 28 here, which means there is an impact on accommodation, transport, food sectors, and the domino effect; they are directly benefiting from it," he explained. Gigantone said their goal is to elevate the Kasanggayahan Festival to attract more tourists and promote Sorsogon as a preferred destination in October. Upcoming events include an attempt for the Guinness World Record for the Largest Serving of Nut Praline on Oct. 24 and the coronation of Miss Kasanggayahan Philippines with 50 official candidates from all over the country on Oct. 27. The Kasanggayahan Festival is the largest celebration for the whole province of Sorsogon and symbolizes a life of prosperity. Source: Philippines News Agency