BIÑAN CITY, Laguna – For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, the local government unit (LGU) here opened its 12th Puto Latik Festival 2022 at Plaza Rizal on Sunday, May 15, with Biñanenses able to participate face-to-face .
"We have to move on and restart tourism activities. Activities like these help business owners, freelancers, artists – those severely affected by the lockdowns," Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (BCHATO) head Bryan Jayson T. Borja told the Manila Bulletin.
Borja says they are implementing the minimum health protocols required under Alert Level 1 in all festival events to last until May 23.
The first day of celebrations included a karakol or a religious dance procession in honor of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje.
The rain did not dampen the revelers' spirits as they watched and cheered during the Drum Beating Competition, Puto Latik Costume Parade and Competition, and Puto Latik Inter-barangay Street Dance Competition.
The Biñan Puto Latik Festival was one of the Five Outstanding Tourism Events in the Philippines and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines-Department of Tourism (ATOP-DOT) Pearl Awardees in 2018 and 2019.
