August 8, 2014, Friday, although PAG-ASA forcasted that there will be a good weather in the entire Visayas and Mindanao regions, clouds had covered the sky as the Town of Calubian has started its weeklong Fiesta Celebration with an opening salvo.
My committee has been very busy this day since our activity, the “2nd Calubian Regatta 2014” will be the highlight in the morning activities; although the activity went along with the Food Festival sponsored by TESDA. I see to it that everything is set before the parade arrives in Calubian wharf. All sub-committees had been checked if everything’s okay.
The first activity which was held before the parade arrived was the Fishing Festival which was started at 7:OO am and soon to end once the parade has arrived at the wharf area. A total of 23 participants had joined the contest with only very few participants caught some small fishes. At exactly 8:30 in the morning the first contingent arrived in the port area headed by the colors followed by the candidates of the Miss Lubi-lubi beauty pageant followed by the LGU contingent composed of the Executive Committee headed by Hon. Doroteo N. Palconit, members of the Sangguniang Bayan and LGU employees.
The parade attendance was overwhelming since even the elderly under their Senior citizen’s group has given time in attending the parade. Members of the national government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, the NWLDH, the judiciary and other agencies had not missed to witness the event.
The members of the business and financing institutions had also actively joined the parade with a colorful uniforms. The Calubian Business Circle which is composed of the majority if not all the entities doing business in the municipality regardless of its volume of business had shown up for the first time in public. Members also of CLAD, Inc, an NGO operating in Calubian has also been visible as well as members of big coops such as the Fatima Multi-purpose Cooperative and OCCI had also joined the parade.
Learning institutions and the academe had also found their places in the parade such as the North and South districts of the DEPED, the different secondary schools whether private and public had shared their presence in the merrymaking.
When everybody had settle down, although only few had been seated due to a very limited chairs in the area compared to a huge crown gathered in the port, the opening had started. The opening prayer was led by Mr. Fanny Pedida, an employee of the Municipal Agriculture Office followed by the singing of Philippine National Anthem. Hon. Aida Q. Labtic, SB-Chairperson, Committee on Agriculture had delivered her welcome remarks. Mr. Agustin L. Dignos, actually its me who delivered the significance of the event wherein I emphasized that Regatta is an important event which could draw tourist to the municipality. That another event had been conceptualized which would probably be contested next year which could also be a crowd-drawer, the “Dragon Boat Race” which could be participated in by the different barangay clusters. Hon. Doroteo N. Palconit, the municipal mayor had also delivered his inspiring message and he was so thankful for the support that had been shown by all the sector in the community as evident by a huge crowd who witnessed the opening salvo. After all the speeches had been delivered, the race had started.
The following were the different events contested during 2nd Calubian Reagatta 2014; 1)- Paddle Boat or “Bugsay Subiran Race” – played in single and double categories with the following prizes for the two categories , 1st Prize- Php3,000.00; 2nd Prize- Php2,000.00 and Php1,000.00 for the 3rd Prize. The other events were 2) Motorized banca race with maximum of 5.5hp engine and 3)the Subiran Sailing Competition. Prizes of the last two events were as follows; 1st Prize = Php5,000.00, 2nd Prize = Php3,000.00 and 3rd Prize =Php2,000.00. For the sailing competition, non-winners received a consolation prizes of Php500.00.
After the competition, awarding of prizes were conducted right away at the port area with no other than the Hon. Mayor Doroteo N. Palconit assisted by Hon. Aida Q. Labtic administered the awarding of certificate to all the winners.
The Regatta Committee would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to all who in one way or another had helped the event a very colorful and successful one. Thank you everybody.
The Regatta looks very interesting! I hope to be able to cover this, perhaps next year. I am a blogger and an advocate of town festivals, those that are not yet in the mainstream, because I believe in their potential in becoming a tourist drawer, and eventually in helping the livelihood of a town's constituents. Hopefully, hopefully I can visit Calubian next year. I will keep watch of this event here at your blog.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, would you be kind enough to post in the menu under your blog's header picture the direction going to Calubian when traveling from Tacloban and Cebu. Also, if possible, please also include a page in the menu about where a traveler like me can stay when visiting Calubian. This will greatly help those who are planning to visit your town. Thank you very much!