CALBAYOG CITY – The Hadang Festival of this city dominated the Tandaya Festival of Festivals 2023 on Sunday, August 6.
Hadang Festival won P500,000 cash prize after besting 11 festival contingents from the different municipalities in the province during their performance at the Northwest Samar State University.
Mayor Raymund Uy here expressed joy in hosting the festival for the first time. The event was usually held in Catbalogan City in the past.
"There is a possibility that the next Tandaya Festival of Festivals will be held again here in Calbayog since our venue and roads can accommodate the parade. We can also accommodate the contingents in our schools," he said.
Uy also hopes that Calbayog will host more events since they are ready to cater to more guests in their convention center and hotels.
He added that Hadang Festival intends to join next year's Aliwan Festival based on their performance.
Makarato Festival of Matuguinao town won second place and P400,000, Bangahon-Carabao Festival of Gandara, third, P300,000, and Tinago Festival of Tarangnan, fourth place, P200,000.
Non-winners received P100,000 each as consolation prize.
Following their performance, a street dance competition was held around the city proper. It was organized by the provincial government of Samar under the Spark Samar tourism campaign.
Competition is one of the highlights of the annual Tandaya Festival celebrating the 182nd Samar Day.