Carmona celebrates first Sorteo Festival as a component city

Sorteo Festival 2025 Opening Ceremony at the Carmona Town Plaza on Feb. 17 (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN) 

CARMONA CITY, Cavite – The local government unit (LGU) here officially kicked off the Sorteo Festival 2025 on Monday, Feb. 17, marking its first celebration of the triennial event since Carmona became a component city in 2023.

The event was led by Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola, Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy M. Loyola, and local officials.

Also in attendance were Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar, Bacoor City Board Member Ram Revilla, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and former Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Benhur Abalos.

Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola, Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar, former DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy M. Loyola, and local officials during the Sorteo Festival 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 17 (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN) 

In her speech, Mayor Loyola expressed gratitude to her constituents for their unwavering support which helped the city earn 58 local and international awards and recognitions in 2024.

“Patuloy nating isisigaw (We will continue to champion): People empowerment at the forefront of sustainable gains and progress where nobody is left behind,” the mayor said.

The opening event was made colorful by the Parada ng Kaunlaran and Sorteo Festival 2025 Float Parade Competition, participated by various sectors and industries.

Parada ng Kaunlaran and Sorteo Festival 2025 Float Parade Competition on Feb. 17 (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN) 

Parada ng Kaunlaran and Sorteo Festival 2025 Float Parade Competition on Feb. 17 (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN)

Parada ng Kaunlaran and Sorteo Festival 2025 Float Parade Competition on Feb. 17 (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola's Facebook page/MANILA BULLETIN) 

A long-running festival held every three years, Sorteo, a Spanish word that means raffle or draw, started in 1861 during the Spanish colonization as a way to raffle off communal agricultural lands among bonafide residents.

For this year’s festival, the local government is raffling off tax-free cash prizes ranging from P50,000 to P300,000.

In addition to the community raffle, the festivities feature Binibining Sorteo 2025, MusiKaunlaran: Drum and Lyre Competition, Carmona Youth Summit 2025, Palaro ng Lahi, and the Sorteo Kite Flying Festival.

This year’s celebration also marks Carmona’s 168th founding anniversary and 2nd cityhood anniversary.