2010 Tinagba Gayon Bicol Promises More Glitz and Glamor

IRIGA CITY - A national winner in the country's biggest street dancing competition last year heads a talented group of entries in this year's Gayon Bicol Festival which this city is hosting on February 11, 2010 coinciding with its very own Tinagba Festival.

Lapay Bantigue, a mimetic dance inspired by the movement of seagulls along the shores of Barangay Bantigue in Masbate City , won 3^rd runner-up in the Aliwan Fiesta held at the Quirino Grandstand in April 25, 2009 for which it will represent the Bikol region in the  2010 staging of the Aliwan Fiesta.

The Gayon Bicol Festival is Bicol's strategy in drawing tourists to the region and its various attractions along the Visit Philippines program of the national government.

Apart from the Lapay Bantigue, which also won 1^st runner-up in the Magayon Festival held in Legazpi City last year,  as well as the Best in Moving Choreography in the same competition, the other participants in the Festival of Festivals showdown include the Palong Festival of Camarines Norte, Pinili Festival of Pili, Camarines Sur, Paraw Festival of the Province of Sorsogon, Cantadungan Festival of Catanduanes, Tabak Festival of Tabaco City, Sosogon Festival of Sorsogon City, Ibalong Festival of Legazpi City, and the Pulang-Angui Festival of the Province of Albay.

Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen said that the host city's Tinagba Festival will not be part of the competition, but it will still be celebrated with a float parade depicting the various values which the city is promoting under its Character City program.

"These floats will acquire new look in the evening when they will be paraded along the city streets decorated with multi-colored lights and mechanical contraptions which recall Disney's Fantillusion parade," Gazmen said.

She added that each float will feature movie stars and personalities like Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Mark Herras, Rainier Joseph Castillo, Raelene Elaine Villania, Ryzza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza.  (fpj)

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