The “higantes” of Angono, Rizal joined the people of Davao in celebrating the 86th Araw ng Davao on March 18, Friday.

Flown all the way from Angono, Rizal, the higante version of Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Mayor Sebastian Duterte attended the Araw ng Dabaw (Davao Day) parade.

The office of Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon said the higantes, the head of which was usually made either of paper mache or fiber glass and aluminum frame as its body, were flown to Davao in time for the city’s anniversary celebration, and were accompanied by Vice Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Calderon.

Just like the Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal last November 2022, the higante version of the Dutertes also swayed and danced on the street during the parade.

(Mayor Calderon's Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)

In her post on Facebook, Mayor Calderon said sending the higantes to Davao was done in fulfillment of a promise that the local government made to Vice President Duterte, who jokingly said in November that she wanted her version of the giant to be present in the celebration of the Davao Day.

Mayor Calderon shared a photo with Vice Pres. Duterte in front of the delegation of Angono Municipal Government with the three higantes in the background.

“What Angono gave us is something that the people of Davao City will forever treasure. Salamat po sa Art Capital of the Philippines. Nagdagdag kulay ang mga Higantes sa aming kapistahan. (Thank you to the Art Capital of the Philippines. The giants added color to our feast day),” said Vice Mayor Calderon quoting Mayor Sebastian Duterte.

The vice president also expressed her elation over the presence of the Angono’s giants and praised the efforts of the Angono municipal government in preserving the cultures and traditions in the town through arts.