(UPDATED) CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — The Manaragat Float from Catbalogan City claimed the top prize at this year’s Tandaya Parade of Festivals “Best in Float” category, held in Calbayog City on Monday, August 5.
Also, the float’s Festival Float King and Queen, Jhunn Ian Tamor, the reigning Mister Manaragat, and Jhyry-Ross Yboa, Miss Manaragat 2022 and Mutya han Samar, were honored as the top winners in their category.
The Parade of Floats, which began around 2 p.m., featured ten floats from various local government units, including Catbalogan, Calbayog, Matuguinao, Marabut, Gandara, Basey, Sta. Margarita, Tarangnan, Tagapul-an, and Calbiga.
Judges evaluated the floats on creativity, cultural representation, and craftsmanship at three key locations: in front of the Calbayog City Hall (JD Avelino Avenue), Super Metro (Magsaysay Boulevard), and Gaisano Grand Mall (Navarro Street). Each location drew large crowds who witnessed the spectacular street performances.
Heralded as the “Best Float”, Catbalogan City’s float, themed “Kataw,” which represents the guardian of Maqueda Bay or Samar Sea, was awarded first place and received P400,000. San Jose de Buan and Calbayog City earned second and third places, receiving P300,000 and P200,000, respectively.
The Parade of Floats was a highlight of the 2024 Tandaya Festival of Festivals, showcasing the exceptional talents of the participating communities and drawing significant crowds.
According to the Catbalogan City Tourism and Arts Office’s feature, “Guardians of Maqueda Bay and Samar Sea: An Mga Kataw ngan Paragluroph,” Catbalogan’s float depicted the mythical kataw, mermaid guardians from local folklore. These figures are revered for protecting the seas and ensuring bountiful catches for the fisherfolk of Catbalogan.
The float’s vibrant display of corals and underwater scenes, with a central diver figure, symbolized the deep connection between the people and the sea. It celebrated both the mythical guardians and enduring folk stories, emphasizing the bond between humans and nature.
Later in the evening, at the Calbayog City Sports Center, the Festival Grand Showdown featured another round of competition. Calbayog City’s Hadang Festival secured first place, followed by Calbiga’s Pahoy-Pahoy Festival in second, and Matuguinao’s Makarato Festival in third. Winners in this category received P1 million (Calbayog City), P500,000 (Calbiga), and P300,000 (Matuguinao). (Update: Originally, for the champion, it was P500T but later increased by the governor to make it to P1 million.)
The Hadang Festival of Calbayog City was also recognized as the Most Festive Contingent and champion in the street dancing category.
All winners received substantial cash prizes, standing ovations, and other tokens of appreciation from the audience.
The Tandaya Festival of Festivals continues to serve as a platform for local communities to celebrate their heritage and share their stories with a broader audience. This year’s event underscored the creativity, passion, and resilience of the participants, highlighting its significance as part of the Samar Founding Anniversary celebrations on August 11, 2024.( By Ricky Bautista)
