CATARMAN, Northern Samar – To foster cultural awareness and engender a deeper appreciation of their culture, 17 municipalities will showcase their festivals in the Ibàbao Festival Dance Competition on Sunday, June 18, at the University of Eastern Philippines Grandstand here.
AMONG those performing in the Ibàbao Festival Dance Competition is the Lobika Festival of Lope de Vega, Northern Samar highlighted by ‘Kuratsa,’ a Waray-Waray courting dance.
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Through festive choreographies, symbolic props, and vibrant costumes, the competition will provide a window into the rich cultural heritage of the province while honoring each municipality's distinct identity.
The Ibàbao Dance Festival Competition is part of the province’s commitment to promoting tourism, preserving history, and sustaining progress to foster pride in its people.
The champion will receive P300,000, P200,000 for the second, P100,000 for the third, and P50,000 consolation prize.
Gov. Edwin Ongchuan said Northern Samar’s 1st Ibábao Festival is a dry-run of the upcoming grander celebration of their 60th founding anniversary.
Aside from showcasing the province’s rich cultural heritage, the festival will also exhibit local products and tourist destinations such as the Biri Rock Formation in Biri, Caba Beach in Allen, and Pinipisakan Falls in Las Navas, among others.
The two-week Ibàbao Festival started on June 4. "Proudly Ibàbaonon: Promoting tourism, preserving history, sustaining progress" is the theme for the 1st Ibàbao Festival.