Kasanggayahan Festival 2012 captures Sorsogon’s agricultural bounty

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, October 4 (PIA) – The province of Sorsogon is celebrating anew its Kasanggayahan Festival this year scoring the significant contribution of agricultural industry in the development of Sorsogon as a province.

Kasanggayahan Festival 2012 which will run from October 8-17 will manifest the agricultural productivity as well as the natural beauty and distinctiveness of the 14 municipalities and one city of Sorsogon.

This year’s Kasanggayahan Festival will be jointly run by the provincial government of Sorsogon under the auspices of Gov. Raul R. Lee and the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. headed by its president, Msgr. Francisco P. Monje.

Gov. Lee in a series of preparation meetings said he wanted this year’s celebration to be simple yet memorable to every Sorsoganon specifically that it will highlight the local farmers and fisher folks who contribute to the economic progress of the province as well as labored for the food that Sorsoganons and even residents outside the province share in their table during meal time.

Sorsogon Provincial Management Office Executive Director Sally Ante Lee articulated that the province of Sorsogon has a lot of untapped potentials in culture and arts, tourism, agriculture, and natural resources. She said that to highlight and give recognition to these potentials, there must be a thorough planning and that a five-year development plan of the Kasanggayahan Festival must be crafted considering this year’s agro-industrial focus as the initial step the province took to carry out this plan.

“Now is the best time to show what have,” she said urging members of the media and the provincial department heads, government agencies and other stakeholders to support the festival and promote Sorsogon to other people outside of the province.

The following activities make up this year’s festivities:

October 1-31 – ARTS EXHIBIT and KASANGGAYAHAN LESSONS; October 8-12 – “Linanggang sa Kasanggayahan” (food processing lecture and demo); October 8-16 – “K “DISKUWENTO CARAVAN; October 8-17 – BISITA SA MUSEO; KASANGGAYAHAN TRADE FAIR; October 9-15 – “K” TECHNO DEMO (demo and video showing on various livelihood projects); October 9-16 – PASYARAN SA KAPITOLYO (parade of carabaos, carabao ride around the Capitol grounds on a decorated carabao); October 10-12 – B2B MARKET ENCOUNTER (institutional buyers, exporters and merchandisers from Manila and neighbouring provinces are invited for a market encounter); October 11-12 – “Bisita Agrikultura” (agri-tour); October 11-14 – GSP KASANGGAYAHAN FESTIVAL CAMP in Magallanes, Sorsogon; October 12-14 – PINTAHAN SA KASANGGAYAHAN (mural painting featuring top 20 tourist spots of the province); October 13-14 – Youth Eco-Summit.

The OPENING DAY slated on October 8 will be highlighted with the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7AM and the Ceremonial Pili Nut Cracking (as champion product of the province); military civic parade; blessing and opening of “K” Trade Fair; ribbon cutting of arts exhibit; Provincial/City/Municipal Officials get-together and Business Forum.

Said opening day will be graced by no less than the Philippine Red Cross chairman Dick Gordon and Department of Tourism Bicol Regional Director Maria O. Ravanilla. Selected farmers will also be given special participation during the opening program.

“The opening activity as well as the bests of Sorsogon will be covered by the Living Asia, an international TV network that will give the province the chance to show its potential globally,” said SPMO Exec. Dir. Lee.

Other activities to be anticipated by the public are as follows: October 9 – Senator Chiz Escudero Shooting Competition; “Talentadong Paraoma Nan Parasira” Rawit-Dawit Contest; October 10 – “Pag-ani: Si Tootsie Jamoralin Nan Saiyang Mga Gibo”; October 13 – “Padyakan Kasanggayahan” (108 km cross-province mountain bike ride); “Patiribayan sa Kasanggayahan” (skills competition); “Pag-Orgolyo Ki Tatay” (a tribute to Congressman Sonny H. Escudero as former Secretary of Agriculture); October 14 – “Daralagan sa Kabulodan” (agri-run, 10k Bulusan Eco-Trail Running Cup ‘12); October 15 –  Agricultural Quiz Bee; and October 16 – Young Farmers’ Congress.

There will also be nightly shows at the Capitol Park at 7PM where the public can enjoy cultural presentations in a form of songs, dances, literary and the like.

Msgr. Monje, meanwhile, enjoins the public to the annual Pilgrimage Mass on October 13 at 8AM at Gibalon in Magallanes town. The activity commemorates the First Holy Mass in Luzon in 1569, a historical importance marking the beginning of Christianization in Southern Bicol.

“Festivals must not only be centered on foods, entertainment or parties but more so in giving thanks to the Almighty for his bountiful blessings,” Msgr. Monje said. He particularly sought the help of the media to tell the public of the significance of the Eucharistic Celebrations and Worship where he said three Holy Masses all throughout the festivities must be participated into and celebrated by the people of Sorsogon.

On October 17 will be the PROVINCIAL THANKSGIVING DAY putting in activities such as religious worships, “Pantomina sa Tinampo” (street dance) and the “Kaogmahan sa Kasanggayahan” (street party and awarding of winners in Pantomina).

“Pantomina sa Tinampo” is the finale or the highlight of Kasanggayahan Festival. This year, the old “Pantomina” step will be used to give chance to a more participation of the public during the street dance.

At night, Outstanding Local Achievers will be given awards and recognition during the “Gab-I san Kasanggayahan” (Orgolyo san Sorsogon Awards and Closing Program) which will bring to light the Outstanding Young Rice Farmer Organization; Best LGU Managed Fish Sanctuary; Outstanding Punong Barangay; Outstanding Barangay Kagawad; Outstanding Policemen; Outstanding Teachers (14+1) and Outstanding Barangay Health Worker.

The word KASANGGAYAHAN captures the provincial picture of Sorsogon, a bountiful green land with golden grains, environmentally vibrant with a fun loving people and rich both in agricultural and marine products. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)