Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio graced on Sunday, Nov. 20, the Higantes Festival 2022, the most colorful annual festival in Angono, Rizal that showcases the town’s ‘higantes’ or the local version of mascots dressed in colorful costumes.
In her speech during the program, Duterte said it was her first time to witness the town’s celebration of the festival. She was also surprised and delighted to see her ‘higante’ version, donning a short haircut and green clothes, as well as the 'higante' of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
The giant VP Duterte and Pres. Marcos, together with the 'higante' version of former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. who represented the Agimat Partylist, danced in front of the guests during one of the program's intermission numbers.
Duterte thanked the people of Angono and Rizal Province for their support to her candidacy, and the six-years in office of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Her attendance in the event, along with her message to the people, elicited loud cheers from the crowd, composed of village leaders, local officials, municipal employees, and members of the academic sector in the town.
After the program, Duterte took the time to accommodate requests for selfies and group pictures with the audience in the gymnasium, those who waited outside the venue, and even those waiting in front of the municipal hall grounds.
Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon and her father, Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon were thankful to the vice president for attending the town’s most colorful and festive event of the year.
Duterte asked Mayor Calderon if she could borrow her 'higante' version and that of Pres. Marcos and bring them to Davao.
Hundreds of ‘higantes’ paraded the streets of Angono, Rizal dancing to the beat of the drums of the brass bands.
One of the 'higante makers', Totie Argana told Manila Bulletin that he had about a hundred ‘higantes’ joining the Sunday parade of giants. His giants represent some cartoon characters, local and national political personalities.
Among the guests in the Sunday event aside from Duterte was Marc Piton, the French Embassy’s Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs.