Sangyaw Festival is one of the most anticipated annual events of the locals and tourists in the province of Tacloban, Leyte. Taclobanons are so thrilled and excited when the month of June is approaching since the City Government is organizing a program for this festivity. Sangyaw Festival is labelled as Taclobanon’s Heritage and Legacy.
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When is Sangyaw Festival 2015
Sangyaw Festival 2015 will be celebrated on Monday 29th of June; a day before the Feast of Patron Sto.Niño of Tacloban.
Sangyaw Festival is always celebrated on June 29.
Sangyaw Festival Background and Origin
Sangyaw Festival is a socio-cultural and native festival that highlights and features the rich cultural and religious bequest of the natives of Tacloban. Every year, a street dance with modern music genres are executed by men painted with glittering colors and wearing colourful costumes. Other women are also carrying out some rituals with their bright colored costumes as well.
Sangyaw Festival was supremely created by the former First Lady Imelda Marcos in 1974 during the Marcos “Martial Law” regime. “Sangyaw” according to the local dialect, Waray is an announcement or “to herald news”. However, when the late President Corazon Aquino was elected, she abolished this festival in 1986.
It was then revived by Mayor Alfred Romualdez on June 29, 2008 who is a nephew of Mrs. Marcos.
Sangyaw Festival is also called as Festival Parade of Lights where the parade is organized in the evening. Every year, the City Government invites famous celebrities to join with the parade which certainly adds excitement to the festivity.
Sangyaw Festival- The Pride of Tacloban
Sangyaw Festival showcases not only the talent of the locals in street dancing and creativity in their floats, props, costumes and other accessories but also their exceptional abilities in body paintings and tattoos. All the performing groups are giving their best shot in their performances because the best one will be chosen and will receive a cash prize and token of appreciation.
Beyond all this competition, Taclobanons are simply enjoying the celebration for it has been intertwined with what their culture has to say about them.
Sangyaw Festival 2016
Sangyaw Festival will be taking place on aWednesday , June 29.