by Dan Daz
Magayon Festival is first and foremost a celebration of the people of Albay as a community. This tradition articulates and affirms our identity as Albayanos. – Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda during the opening of the Magayon Festival last April 1, 2008.
Banners of the Magayon Festival ’08 proudly displayed during the opening of the festival last April 1, 2008.
Float of the Municipality of Malinao passes by the Albay Provincial Capitol Building during the Karwahe nin Paglaom, Karwahe ni Magayon float competition on opening day.
Float no. 12 of the City of Legazpi won third prize in the Karwahe nin Paglaom, Karwahe ni Magayon float competition. First prize went to the Municipality of Polangui while second place went to Sto. Domingo.
Members of a rondalla group onboard the Sto. Domingo float which won second in the float competiton.
Students of Bagtang Elementary School doing their routine in the Drum and Bugle Competition and winning first place in the said competition.
Children enjoying the ringside view of the Drum and Bugle Competition held on opening day of the Magayon Festival ’08.
One of many participants of the Drum and Bugle Competition doing their number at the Penaranda Park in front of the Capitol building in Legazpi City. First place went to Bagtang Elementary School (Daraga, Albay), second place went to the Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation (Legazpi City) while third place went to Tabaco North Elementary School.
As part of the celebration of the Magayon Festival ’08, on exhibit at the Albay Capitol Building lobby are various handicraft items which were made by skilled craftsmen of Albay province.
Also on display at the Albay Capitol Building lobby is the photo exhibit dubbed “War of Our Fathers” sponsored by the Philippine Veterans Bank. The exhibit shows the brave and gallant stand of the Filipino and American forces against the invading Japanese forces during world war II. The next photo shows actual vintage Thompson caliber .50 ammunitions and vintage mortars used during the second world war.
Festival Highlights:
Magayon Festival of Festivals Showdown 2008
One of the highlight activities is the “Magayon Festival of Festivals Showdown 2008”, a regionwide street dancing competition that will feature the various festivals from the region’s six provinces and six cities. The Magayon Street Dancing competition will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 3 pm at the Penaranda Park just in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol Building in Legazpi City. Big cash prizes will be awarded to the winners: First prize-P300,000, second prize- P200,000 and third prize- P100,000. In addition, there will be special awards as follows: Best in Street Dancing (moving choreographer)- P50,000; Best in Costume- P50,000; Best in Festival Legend Showdown: First Prize- P100,000, Second Prize-P75,000, Third Prize-P50,000; Best in moving choreography-P10,000, Best in Costume-P10,000. The Provincial Government has allocated P10 M for the operating fund of the festival.
Mutya ng Magayon 2008
The search committee of the Magayon Festival 2008 and the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office have finalized the 20 official candidates for the Mutya ng Magayon. The selection of the final candidates was made by a panel of judges last March 14 at the Concourse Convention Center in Legazpi City.
The 20 official candidates came from Daraga, Albay (2); Camalig, Albay (1); Legazpi City (5); Naga City (2); Sorsogon City (1); Daet CN (2); Iriga City (1); Polangui, Albay (1); Sto. Domigo, Albay (1); Tabaco City (2); Tiwi, Albay (1); and Bulan, Sorsogon (1).
The Beauty pageant and Coronation Night will be held on Friday, April 25, 2008 starting at 7 pm at the Albay Astrodome. Admission is free. The winner of the Mutya ng Magayon will receive P100,000 cash + trophy, bouquet and sash; First Runner-up- P75,000, trophy, bouquet and sash; Second Runner-up- P50,000, trophy, bouquet and sash. Special Major Award for Magayon Festival Tourism- P30,000, trophy, bouquet and sash which is open for Albay candidates only. Minor Awards: Miss Talent- P5,000, trophy, bouquet and sash; Miss Photogenic/ Miss Congeniality/ Miss Telegenic will each receive – P3,000, trophy, bouquet and sash; Best in Production number/ Best in Swimsuit/ Best in Terno will each receive-P3,000, trophy, bouquet and sash. The best in terno designer will receive P30,000 plus trophy while the first runner-up and the second runner-up will receive P25,000 and P20,000 respectively.
Ibalon 