AT LEAST 3,000 people filled the Cordova Sports Center to witness the Dinagat festival yesterday afternoon.
Five contingents clustered from different barangays of Cordova town, north Cebu delivered colorful, dramatic, historic and meaningful dance performances.
Mayor Adelino Sitoy cheered with the Cordovanhons and visitors who attended the event.
Also in attendance were Provincial Board member Arleigh Sitoy, Rep. Luigi Quisumbing of Cebu’s 6th District and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
The Sitoys in their speeches called for the moral upliftment of Cordovanhons.
The town has made news recently because of raids of cyber pornography dens operating in the town.
The Sitoys echoed the festival’s defiant theme, “Cordovanhon ko! Kay ngano man diay (I am from Cordova! So what)?”
Shirts with the statement were sold as part of the festival.
The street dancing and parade of floats started at 1 p.m. at Cordova’s busy street leading to the sports center where people were watching at sidewalks cheering to dancers coming from their respective barangays.
Edgardo Casquejo, Dinagat Festival coordinator said the event was successful despite a budget cut imposed by the local government.
With little more than half a million pesos, they organized the event, he said.
Contingent number five of barangays Ibabao and Cogon won the top prize and took home P20,000.
Contingent number 1 of barangays Poblacion and Catarman won second prize with a reward of P15,000.00 as second prize.
Contingent number two of barangays Buagsong, Day-as and Bang-Bang won third prize with a reward pf P10,000.
Police Senior Insp. Noli Cernio, Cordova police station Chief, said the festivities were generally peaceful. /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza