TACLOBAN CITY- The city government of Tacloban on Friday opened the “Sangyawan Ha Tacloban” at Balyuan Park, marking the return of the city’s grand festival a year and a half after being pummeled by super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
“We are resilient. The return of our grand Sangyaw festival brings hope that we can rise again as a people and as a city,” said city councilor and tourism chairperson Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez.
“Tell your friends and loved ones to see Tacloban again, to celebrate life and the rebirth of the city,” said Romualdez, adding that the influx of visitors to the city will help bring back its economy.
Tacloban mayor Alfred Romualdez, his wife-councilor Cristina, led city employees and constituents in a motorcade around the city’s thoroughfares during Friday opening of various music, cultural, sports and religious activities for this year’s fiesta celebration in honor of its patron saint Sr. Sto. Nino with the theme “Resilient Tacloban.”
“Congratulations to all of you, for surviving typhoon Yolanda. Everybody stays strong. You guys are still here to rock in roll with us!” Ruben Caballero, vocalist of Manila-based rock band Cueshe, told the concert-goers at Balyuan Park, as the group ushered the nightly concert in the city for the Sangyaw festival.
Other known bands set to perform in the city include True Faith, Razorback, Wolfgang, Aegis, Gloc-9, Parokya ni Edgar, Rocksteddy, Ely Buendia and Pupil, Greyhoundz, along with television celebrities, local artists, and many more.
Councilor Romualdez also announced the return of Miss Tacloban beauty pageant, Sangyaw Awards for outstanding individuals and/or groups in the city and Sangyaw Parade of Lights.
A “Resilient Summit” will also be held during the festival.
Romualdez said they are holding the grand Sangyaw festival this year “to make it known to the world that Tacloban has bounced back.”
“This event brings out the best of Tacloban. Sangyaw 2015 is bigger and brighter. We can showcase to the world that we are beautiful and progressive despite what happened to us during super typhoon Yolanda,” Romualdez earlier said.
Citing “donor fatigue” from various humanitarian groups which funded the Sangyaw event in 2014, Romualdez said the city has allocated a budget for this year’s grand festival with the help of some corporate sponsors and of Leyte First district representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his wife Yedda.
“This event will help bring back our tourism industry and eventually our economy.”