With the largest number of contingents I have ever covered, Caragan Festival 2019 once again amazed the crowd with its highlight event, the street dance competition.

The Xevera Compound was almost filled to the brim with the waiting and the excited crowd as 50+ schools/tribes converged to perform at their best. There are about 30+ Elementary Schools and almost twenty Senior/College groups who took turns in flaunting their versions in honor of Haring Caragan.

 

Upon stepping on the City Hall compound, the Caragan Theme Song played in loop, within the midst of stalls, crowd, and vehicles, below the streamers and buntings. There are kiosks and exhibitors in the compound, some participated by our local Mabalaquenos.

Sauntering through the streets with blogger Alquin of Maryquin Adventures, groups of students and the supporting crowd are starting to find their spot where they can witness the grand parade and street dance.

In this year, I am excited again as I will witness my cousins, Eion, Jonelle and Jared of Dr. Adelaido C. Bernardo National Highschool, to perform on stage – the performance I am dreaming since I was elementary or high school, however, the Caragan Festival was not organized during the 90s. Talk about talent running through our veins – kidding! 🙂

Also, I was able to meet again my favorite Elementary Adviser, Ms. Ruth Baldoz delos Reyes, trodding the streets as the head of the Mabalacat City Association of Empowered Women (MCAEW). Such an honor to be her student. Mind you, despite the decades, she strongly remembers our names and faces, and some of our “pasaway” moments during our elementary years. She deserves to be celebrated.

The overall success of this event will not happen without the support and great effort of each individual performers/students, teachers, professors, volunteers, coordinators, school heads, props makers, private donors, festival organizers and of the Mabalacat City Government headed by our dear Mayor Cris Garbo. Congratulations to everyone! I am hoping though that next year, they will schedule the Street Dance Competition at an earlier time of the day. 🙂 

My heartfelt thanks to Sir Dill Eroles of City Information Office for providing vital information and considering me to cover the festival. Also, thank you to Sir Elijah Manlapaz, CIO for helping us during the coverage.

Here are the photographs that were taken during the Street Dance Competition:

Should you wish to request photographs, please message at the Kapampangan Traveller Facebook Page.