Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Sorsoganon Kita Inc. spearheads press conference for Kasanggayahan Festival 2011activities


by Irma A. Guhit
SORSOGON CITY, SEPTEMBER 12 (PIA) Attended by both the national and local media in the region, the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 press conference was held here at the Sorsogon City Multi-Purpose Hall last Friday, September 9 .

Present  in the panel to present the activities and answer questions from the press were  Msgr. Francisco P. Monje, president,  Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc (KFI) , Maria Nini O. Ravanilla, regional director, Department of Tourism RO V, Michael Sulit, president of Sorsoganon Kita Inc., Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda and Atty Antonio Huab, representing governor Raul R. Lee

Sorsoganon Kita Inc. president , Michael Sulit, as this year's private non-governmental partner of KFI  presented all the activities for this month long, October celebration of the 117th founding anniversary of the province of Sorsogon and what to expect from a public-private partnership undertaking.

Msgr. Francisco P. Monje, president of the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc.(KFI)  stated that it was really an answered call for the KFI's long desire that private organization should  run the activities of the festival while the KFI still remains as the organic body overseeing that the activities are alined to what the festival intends to portray, that of popularizing the history, culture and aspirations of the province of Sorsogon in a festive meaningful celebration.

Sulit bared that the events are classified as : sports, culture and arts, music and dance, socials, special interest, conventions/ congress and the economic side which is trade and industry.

Shown through a power point presentation, Sulit  presented thematic tarpaulins that depicts the Kasanggayhan Festival  2011 .. together with the corresponding photo of the local official of every municipality ,  the provincial governor, their corresponding congressman for the first and second district respectively, and members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan also to identify the first and the second districts and in particular Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" G. Escudero as major supporters of the festival.

Sulit explained that the festival this year is more of a public -private partnership. All officials from the national and local government together with  private individuals will be contributing their share in terms of logistics and sponsored activities to show unity of action and to ensure  the success of the festival.

In particular, Sulit also explained  that the  this year's festival  will feature  several activities that will be shown or done first time and will be  differently presented.

The cultural dance, Pantomina sa Tinampo reflective of the Bicolano's culture for merriment expressed in a dance will be done in the evening. It will be the original Sorsoganon pantomina called "Sinakiki" popularized in Gubat town and will be adapted in the festival.

One of the big highlights of this year's festival is giving recognition to outstanding Sorsoganons who have made the province proud in terms of their outstanding contribution not only in the local scene but more on the national scope like the four Sorsoganons and only Bicolanos conferred the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines Award.

The award to be conferred dubbed "Oragon Awards Night" to be held on  October 16, will show case the mettle , exemplary traits and achievements of certain Sorsoganons in the fields of education, public service, governance, education, media, cinema and one very special award is highlighting a family's endeavor and success of bringing up15 children who are all professionals and successful in their own right.

Sulit said that distinction such as this is one way to entice everyone on how to live up to the Kasanggayahan Festival's vision and spirit , that of making a province proud of its people.

Sulit also explained that in the all activities  will  show a more unified support of all local and national government officials , the contribution of private organizations and entities anchored on the theme: Kasanggayahan Festival 2011: Going Beyond :Private Public Partnership Towards Sustainable Development.

He also disclosed that special events like competition of the Singing Councilors, tree planting activity, the regional competition for bands and majorette and an inter-municipal drum and lyre competition are some of the interesting activities.

"We should take part in  the grand opening of the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 on the 17th and  be awed by the pageantry  of the the Historico- Cultural Parade showing the different cultural dances and the very beautiful floats of each municipality reflecting their history and culture." he said.

He also explained that after so many years that the festival has been held here at the provincial capitol park, now through the efforts and logistical support of all officials of Sorsogon, the Balogo Sports Complex has been rehabilitated and renovated so most major events will be held there.

Questions during the press conference like how will the festival  advertise and promote tourism, how much is the working budget and what is there in the festival that sets it apart from other festivals were raised coming from the members of media attendees.

These were answered satisfactorily  by Sulit and director Ravanilla while Msgr. Monje also explained that the working budget for this year's festival is  pegged at P 3 M  and maybe more with several big sponsors giving their logistical commitment.

Sulit also disclosed that there were several activities sponsored by Senator Chiz Escudero like the shootfest, and the basketball game to be played by Adamson vs All Sorsoganon Star Cast.

A first time Mardi Gras will also be seen participated and performed by the Bukawel Cultural Dancers on the evening of the last day , October 30 at the main thoroughfare of the city.

This  evening's  event  of street dance will show participants in masked colorful costumes, with rhythmic beating of the drums, streets light up and array of festival dancers.

Sulit thanked the media who were present in the press conference and solicited their support in terms of media mileage as he said that this year's Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 will usher in a more participative endeavor and expect activities that are of unusual interesting flavor and with added tourism come on. ((PIA-SORSOGON)

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