About 7,000 people gathered at the Cebu City Sports Center on Saturday for the first Halad sa Pagtuo, a new province-wide celebration of faith and Cebuano culture.
The August 29 event was part of Cebu’s 457th founding anniversary and featured 53 carrozas carrying images of patron saints from different communities across the province.
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro joined the procession and later declared the first staging a success.
“I’m so thankful and grateful. I’m happy and excited. It turned out really well,” Baricuatro told reporters.
She also said the large turnout showed that people welcomed the new celebration.
“Everybody said that it was good to present all our carrozas,” she said.
The carrozas traveled from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to the Cebu City Sports Center before the Holy Mass, blessing of the carrozas, mass dancing and other activities.
Seven festivals were also featured during the program, including Sinulog sa Carmen, Tuba Festival of Borbon, Bisnok Festival of Dumanjug, La Torta Festival of Argao, Hinulawan Festival of Toledo City, Dagitab Festival of Naga City and Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City.
Baricuatro said the event was created to bring together Cebu’s religious devotion and cultural traditions.
“Ang Halad sa Pagtuo natawo gikan sa atong tinguha nga mahiusa ang duha ka importanteng bahin sa pagka-Sugbuanon: ang atong lawom nga pagtuo ug ang atong matahum ug buhing kultura,” she said.
The governor said there is a possibility of turning the celebration into a competition next year, but she stressed that the provincial government would first have to consult Cebu’s mayors.
“We have to consult the mayors for that because as you all know, we are a consultative administration,” Baricuatro said.
She also joined her daughter, Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, in accompanying the Sta. Monica de Pinamungajan carroza during the procession.
The celebration ended with a performance by Martin Nievera.
“Let’s do this every year. A new festival is born in Cebu, Halad sa Pagtuo!” Baricuatro said.