LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Sarung Banggi Festival in Santo Domingo, Albay has returned after a three-year halt due to the pandemic.
The event honors Potenciano Gregorio Sr., the famous Bicolano musician and composer of the folk song "Sarung Banggi" (One Evening).
OFFICIALS from the local government of Santo Domingo, uniformed personnel, and residents participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Potenciano Gregorio, the composer of the song ‘Sarung Banggi,’ during the opening of the Sarung Banggi Festival on Friday, May 13. (Photo by Aksyon Agad via Niño N. Luces)
Gregorio, also called "Lolo Poten," was born in town of Lib-og, now Santo Domingo, Albay, on May 18, 1880.
Unlike other fiestas, most of the highlight events of the Sarung Banggi Festival are held during night time such as street dance, parade of lights, concerts, and music and song competitions.
Santo Domingo Mayor Jun Aguas said that the Sarung Banggi Festival is not just a commemoration of Lolo Poten who put the town in the world map by his composition but also a thanksgiving for the progress the town has achieved.
"We're happy kasi after three years na wala tayong selebrasyon dala ng Covid-19 pandemic, heto tayo nagbabalik. Siyempre ang bida dito ay si Lolo Poten, ang kompositor ng Sarung Banggi. Masayang-masaya tayo dahil kasabay ng selebrasyon na ito, magkakaroon na tayo ng community college kung saan hindi na kailangan pang pumunta ng mga taga-Santo Domingo sa lungsod ng Legazpi para doon mag-aral," Aguas said.
The formal opening of the month-long celebration of the Sarung Banggi Festival was highlighted by a holy Mass and motorcade on Friday night, May 13, from the coastal village of Buhatan to the town proper.
Local government officials, private groups, academe, and government officials and employees participated in the opening ceremony.
Aguas said that among highlight events for this year's Sarung Banggi Festival are performances from local bands, song writing competition, night fishing competition, beauty pageants, beer plaza, parade of lights, fireworks display, and street dance competition.