Today, all roads lead to Panglao as it celebrates a bigger and better Hudyaka Festival, the penultimate highlight of its annual town fiesta as Mayor Nila Montero and Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes lead town folks in welcoming guests and balikbayans.
Now on its 29th year, the festival was organized as an opportunity not only to celebrate the feast of the town’s patron saint San Agustin but also to manifest the religiosity of Panglaoanons through an established cultural identity and to express the townsfolk’s expression of thanksgiving to Señor San Agustin. (Read: Lifestyle-Bohol)
The late Loy Palapos aptly coined the festival’s name as “Hudyaka†which in the Cebuano dialect, literally means merrymaking, happiness or gaiety.
Roque Cubar, Panglao Municipal Accountant & Hudyaka Festival Project Chair, shared that the festivities starts at 1pm with a grand parade & the streetdancing competition followed by the ritual performances at 4 pm at the Panglao Town Plaza. The selection of the 2016 Hudyaka Festival Queen will cap the whole activity. Just like the last two years of the festival, Panglao talents from choreographers to performers will be highlighted as all ten barangays compete for prizes, trophies and bragging rights in two categories; streetdancing and ritual performances.
Aside from a spectacular fireworks display, the biggest come on is the very first Mardi Gras style of celebration & the street party to be staged at the event venue after the contest winners have been declared. For the Street Dancing Category where three top winning contingents will be chosen, there will be special awards for Most Punctual Contingent, Most Disciplined Contingent, Most Colorful Contingent & the Best in Hudyaka Ambiance Contingent. Aside from three top winners in the Ritual Dance Category, special awards will be given for Best in Costume, Best in Musicality & Best in Choreography.
The panel of judges composed of Ms. Marichu G. Tellano – Exec. Dir. NCCA, Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz – Founder, Halili-Cruz School of Ballet, Former Head NCCA Committee on Dance, Ms. Lady Cely Chiongbian and Ms. Fiel Angelie A. Gabin – City Information Officer will be chaired by Mr. Ricardo R. Ballesteros Jr., Exec. Dir. Sinulog Foundation
Panglao Mayor Nila Montero & the rest of the LGU officials will be there to lead the municipality and revelers in the kaleidoscope & explosion of colors & rhythmic beat in today’s grand finale! See you there!