Albay Festivals Set 2
SARUNG BANGGI FESTIVAL
Sto. Domingo, Albay Month of May
The Sarung Banggi festival marks the commemoration of an ingenuous Bicol heritage as Sto. Domingo, Albay celebrates its Maiden year last May 2002. This Cultural Festivity is in recognition of the invaluable contribution of the late Potenciano Valladolid Gregorio, a native of this town, to this municipality, the Bicol Region and the whole country for his music and compositions particularly the immortal love song Sarung Banggi that paved the way for and introduced the Philippines to the landmark of musical world.The uniqueness of Sarung Banggi is its bicolness, a festival that is genuinely Bicol. Sarung Banggi song identifies us as Bicolanos just as the Lupang Hinirang is for the Filipinos. Coinciding with the birth of the late composer, this Bicol Festival, calendared on the month of May and every year thereafter, is a weeklong non-stop celebration that aims to display the rich cultural legacy and exceptional character of the Domingueños being lovers of arts and music. The main attraction of this Festival is a one of a kind street presentation, as it is held in the evening that best depicted the theme of the song Sarung Banggi. Exciting choreographies and impressive costume designs were seen with matchless intense lighting from indigenous materials.In May 19 of 1880, Potenciano V. Gregorio was born in a modest little town of Libog now Sto. Domingo. Not knowing that someday he would be instrumental in bringing honor, prestige and making his hometown more popular thru his composition, the most famous love song “Sarung Banggi”.
It is a very inspiring love story that was transformed into a beautiful song. It goes something like this…that one quiet dark night, the composer Potenciano V. Gregorio, solitary lying in his bed reminiscing how this young lady caught his mind and heart of whom he met that night. His longing for the young lovely lady remained until he fell asleep. Suddenly, he was awakened and heard the lonely chirping of a bird that sounds so sweet, inviting and enchanting tune to the ears of a person with a hear gilled with so much love. He was then encouraged to get up and looked outside the window. There in the dark, he saw clearly the charming face of the young lady. The loneliness, in his heart was changed to extreme peace, happiness and a deep knowledge of his love to the lady whom he adored greatly. That very night, Lolo Poten was motivated and inspired to write the lyrics of the song Sarung Banngi.
The song carries a meaningful message of love that touches the heart of so many people. It became the favorite of local serenaders and spread widely in the entire Bicol Region, then through out the Philippines and abroad. It gives an inspiration and pride in the heart of every Domingueños that the LGU brought the idea of honoring Potenciano V. Gregorio through Executive Proclamation No.1 s. 2002 signed by Honorable Mayor Herbie Aguas on the 8th day of January 2002 at Sto. Domingo, albay, hence, the Sarung Banggi Festival was born.
KADAGATAN FESTIVAL
Bacacay, Albay Every Black Saturday
The civic-oriented heart of the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Mayon, Bacacay chapter has paved the way to the institutionalization of bancathon.Bancathon started through the successful collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club, the defunct Provincial Constabulary, Albay command under the initiative of Colonel Inigo Balardo (retired), Sergio P. Villar and Col. Banadera with the tireless support of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region V.
The first Bancathon Race was held in 1982, coinciding with Black Saturday of the Holy Week, the traditional Catholic celebration of the passion of Jesus Christ at Roca Baluarte, one of the historical tourist sites in Bacacay of the Province of Albay.
On the 7th annual Bancathon in 1989, again spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Mayon, the celebration was transferred to the local government unit of Bacacay, retaining the traditional cash prize awards and trophies.
Innovations in the competition were conceived to add more color and excitement to the race. Other sea crafts were included in that race such as balsa an casco.
The inclusion of other types of sea crafts had expanded the annual sea race with participants from other coastal areas in Albay and neighboring regions in the country. These various races had likewise invited more spectators to witness the grand race, prompting the local organizers to alter the name of Bancathon.
In the year 2000, the local government unit of Bacacay took note of the increasing interest in the yearly maritime spectable by passing a legislative act that officially changed it from Bancathon to Kadagatan Festival, holding it as usual every Black Saturday.
April 26 2008 04:41 am | Albay and Festivals
