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Tubong-tubong ‘05 festival  draws  wider support


The 4th Tubong-tubong Festival of Tubungan town, which had its highlight of celebration last May 1, 2005, drew a comparatively wider support from the participating barangays, the neighboring towns and government agencies in the province.

Tubungan Mayor Victor Tabaquirao said that he was pleased with the presence and support of Iloilo Vice-Governor Roberto “Obet” Armada who graced the opening of the festival on April 29, together with Guimbal mayor Richard Garin, United Nations Development Project Advisor Dr. Roger Guzman and personnel from the West Visayas State University Office of Extension Services, led by Dr. Lulu Loyola, its director.

The coronation night of the festival queen, Joyce Ann Tabalina was graced by the presence of first district Congresswoman Janette Garin and the Tubunganon Mayor of Dolonan, North Cotabato, Hon. Nestor Taasan.

The festival's theme which is “ Kasugpon sang Kahapon . . . Masanag nga Palaabuton”, recalls not only the town's  struggle for independence but also showcases its culture and tradition that seeks to find a niche in the tourism and development map of Iloilo and the country as a whole. 

The local government officials appreciated the support and incentive given by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas for the holding of the festival, which according to Tubong-tubong “founding father” ex-Tubungan Mayor Pedro Tagabi, Sr., is improving every year because of the greater awareness of the Tubunganons of the richness of their culture and tradition that should be shared with others.

Mr. Ben Jimena, Executive Director of Visit Iloilo and Guimaras 2006, and the prime mover in the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival for several years, noted that the healthy competitive spirit of the participating Tubong-tubong  Festival tribes  is so strong as shown by their performances, despite very low budget.

Vice mayor Divino Tanallon, over-all chairman, Tubong-tubong festival, said that the local government can only afford less than 200,000 pesos as funding for the celebration, but they exerted so much effort in campaigning for support for the various tribes.  From the solicited amount the tribes were given 10,000 each as subsidy.

Prominent among the sponsors, other than the DOT were Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., Mr. Jose “Pepe” Layson, International Builders, Racso's Bank and many others.

A pool of renowned judges from various entities gave the performers the boost needed to do their best.  The eight contesting tribes represented the eight districts manned by each of the eight Municipal Council members: Tribu Attib-attib, Tribu Guinobatan, Tribu Pangagad, Tribu Ban-awan, Tribu Banwahanon, Tribu Bukidnon, Tribu Babaylan, Tribu TABOJAMI.

Winners for the float competition were Tribu Guinobatan, champion; Tribu Attib-Attib, first runner up and Tribu TABOJAMI, second runner up, receiving 5,000, 3,000 and 2,000 pesos respectively.  In the street dancing competition Tribu Banwahanon was the champion, followed by Tribu TABOJAMI, first runner up, and Tribu Ban-awan, second runner up, receiving the same amount of cash  prizes.

Champion in the tribes competition was Tribu Banwahanon, which was second runner up last year, first runner up was Tribu TABOJAMI, and second runner up, Tribu Ban-awan which was last year's champion, receiving cash prizes of 10,000, 7,000 and 5,000 pesos respectively. (PIA/ESS)