The municipality of Polangui painted the town red, quite literally, as it relived a local folklore retracing its early beginnings through the recent Pulang-Angui Festival.
The two-week event is one of Albay’s most-awaited, star-studded and multi-awarded festivals.
The festivity relives the legend of Angui, a beautiful maiden dressed in red from head to toe, who was said to possess all the best qualities of a woman. Oral tradition says suitors pursued her even when she had already surreally transported into the world of myths.
Sensational rock quintet 6Cyclemind fired off the celebrations as it rocked the town’s public plaza in a sizzling concert night.
The highlight of the two-week extravaganza is the crimson-red street dance presentation depicting the legend of “Pulang Angui”, which is regarded by the Department of Tourism as one of the best in the Bicol region.
Another crowd-drawer is the Binibining Pulang Angui, a beauty pageant, that selects Polangui’s ambassadresses of good and tourism from all over the Bicolandia. Marie Sherry Anne Tormes of Bula, Camarines Sur bested 12 other hopefuls and was crowned the coveted title.
Gracing the pageant were guest celebrity judges Binibining Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina, Mr Philippines Universe 2015 Mike Gerard Mendoza, Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2014 Parul Shah, and Miss Supranational Philippines 2012 Elaine Kay Moll.
Homegrown personalities that were part of the judging panel for the beauty tilt were lawyer Caroline Cruz, the charming chief of staff of former Albay Governor Joey Salceda, three-term Provincial Board Member Glenda Ong-Bongao, former Miss Earth Fire 2003 Gina Ritter-Lee, and tourism media consultant Bernard Supetran.
Manila-based boyband quintet Crossbond serenaded the contestants that were resplendent in their white evening gowns.
Former PBB Housemates and teen stars Jane Oineza and Kyle Secades added glitter to the beauty and brains tilt in the pre-pageant night.
This year’s Pulang Angui Festival is special as it marked the new term of Mayor Cherilie Mella-Sampal and the conclusion of the term of former Governor Salceda, who have worked jointly to take the festivity to the next level and make Polangui a tourist destination in Albay.