Overcast skies and occasional rains did not the dampen the spirits of people who participated in yesterday’s Silhig Festival in barangay Pakna-an in Mandaue City.
Mayor Jonas Cortes and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede graced the festival spearheaded by Pakna-an barangay captain Malaquias Soco. Cebu Provincial Board Member Arliegh Sitoy also graced the event.
“Pakna-an is one of the most developed barangays in the city, it used to be a hub of some Industrial companies. I salute the people of Pakna-an for promoting their product and for the Pakna-an Silhig Festival” Cortes said.
The barangay produces up to 30,000 soft brooms made from the leaves of buri palm. Brooms produced by household-based broom makers are sold in bulk to the Pakna-an Multipurpose Cooperative which grew from an initial asset of P20,000 two years ago to P2-million now.
The soft brooms from Pakna-an are sold in Mindanao and Luzon. They hope to barge into the export market soon.
Running away with the grand prize was the contingent of zones Kamansi, Sikwa and Okra. On second was the contingent from zones Kamatis and Sibuyas, while the contingent from zones Kamansi and Tangkong placed third.
Street dancing started at 1 p.m along A.C. Jayme Street, passed by Plaridel Street, turned to UN Avenue, then M.C. Briones and back to Jayme Street where the showdown continued.
Contingent #6 composed of zones Kamansi, Sikwa and Okra wins the Pakna-an Silhig Festival in yesterday’s showdown in the barangay.
The first prize winner got P25,000, the second and third price winners got P20,000 and P15,000 respectively.
The four other contingents got P10,000 each.
Apple Alisna who represented zones Kamansi and Tangkong was the fairest among the dancers and was declared Festival Queen. Zones Kamatis and Sibuyas was the Best Andas, Best Choreography and Best Costume. Hundreds of spectators lauded each contingent as they perform in the showdown proper held in a vacant lot in the Barangay.
The Silhig Festival closed with a colorful fireworks display around 7 p.m.
Pakna-an barangay Captain Soco was thankful to all that supported the Silhig Festival. Pakna-an’s patron is the Señor Sto. Niño, thus, they make efforts to organize the Silhig Festival close to the Sinulog. / Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent