by Ezekiel Beato and Rhen Peñada
The rainy morning did not stop Rosenians from celebrating the 25th Sikhayan Festival back-to-back with the 20th Cityhood Anniversary on July 10, in the city streets of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The annual festival— originally celebrated on January 18— was moved to a later date to coincide with the city’s anniversary of cityhood this year, according to City Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas.
Opening the festivities was a citywide parade filled with colorful floats and mascots from various stakeholders.
The crowds were filled with cheers as the appearance of Santa Rosa’s own celebrity idol and guest artist for the festival Alden Richards was recognized in the parade.
"Lagi naman kasing naglelevel-up yung Sikhayan Festival— siyempre looking forward ako parati sa Street Dance Competion and ‘yung pag showcase talaga ng City of Santa Rosa in terms of dancing," Richards on his involvement for this year's festivities.
To differ from previous celebrations, performances from the city’s business groups for the traditional Street Dance Competition highlighted the festival’s opening parade for this year— rather than from the barangays and local schools.
Showcasing their creativity and originality through their art were the KCD Group of Companies, GoTyme Bank, SM City Santa Rosa, Enchanted Kingdom, and Coca-Cola.
"Ang dating natin ngayon talaga is hindi lang [para] sa mga normal na constituents natin [ang festival]— but of course sinasama [din] natin ang ating mga business partners kasi kasama [sila] sa progress natin [as a city]," Arcillas on the involvement of business groups in this year’s festival competitions.
The opening parade ran its course from Tram Plaza, Brgy. Balibago to the Santa Rosa City Multi-Purpose Complex Tennis Court, where the program proper was held.
Participants of the street dance competition then resumed their clash for glory through the culminating Exhibition Dance Contest and the Reyna ng Sikhayan Pageant.
The KCD Group of Companies was hailed Reyna ng Sikhayan and overall grand champion, while SM City Santa Rosa was awarded best in street dance and costume.
The double celebration ended with a concert held at 6 pm, also at the Santa Rosa City Multi-Purpose Complex— where various performers including Parokya ni Edgar rocked Rosenians with their classic songs and tunes.
No comments:
Post a Comment