By Nestor L. Abrematea
Catarman, Northern Samar – Two municipalities in this province are preparing for the staging of two grand festivals that are expected to attract a huge number of local and foreign tourists.
San Roque Mayor Don L. Abalon said they were in the thick of preparations for the grand “Parayan Festival” next year after it had its successful presentation during their town’s 58th founding anniversary recently.
Abalon said they will be inviting delegates from the other municipalities of Northern Samar to showcase their own local festivals to attract visitors.
He said they have been holding the “Parayan Festival” during their town’s founding anniversary to showcase the rich and bountiful rice harvest in honor of their town’s patron saint, Sr. San Roque.
Abalon said “Parayan” is Waray for bountiful harvest as their town is a rice-producing municipality in the second district of Northern Samar.
“It would be a grand festival as we want our town to be known for its “Parayan Festival” and we are now busy on its preparation and promotion,” Mayor Abalon told Manila Bulletin.
Eight groups composed of students coming from seven barangays of San Roque and one group from the Department of Education (DepEd) San Roque District competed in the festival performance and dance interpretation.
The local government of San Jose, Northern Samar is now also preparing for its 10th Carang Festival slated to be staged early next year.
Mayor Clarence Dato said seven to eight festival groups from the nearby municipalities of their province will hold dance and street dancing competition.
Dato explained that Carang Festival is being conducted to recognize the locally made “Carang,” or a trap for chicken that is made of bamboo strips.
He said the Carang Festival is held every fourth Sunday of January in honor of the Child Jesus.