‘Giants’ come to life in Albay Magayon fest

PAPER-MACHES of mythical giants become one of the attractions of Albay’s Magayon Festival 2016. MARC ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LEGAZPI CITY—The streets of this Albay provincial capital had turned into a stage for effigies of mythical creatures as the province opened the monthlong Magayon Festival on Saturday.

The “Higantes” parade, where 35 10-meter-tall figures were featured, was among the highlights of the festival that drew thousands of spectators to this city.

The image of “Oriol,” one of the characters in the epic of Ibalon represented by a half woman, half snake creature, bagged the top prize in the contest. The image was created by Juanito Everardo Marcial Napay from recyclable materials and took him a month to finish.

The image of “Angongolod,” a giant orangutan with thick, flowing fur made of abaca strings, was second. It was created by Jeannete Fabiola Napay, sister of the contest winner.

“We were challenged,” she said.

Legazpi resident Emily Mendones, 51, who watched with daughter, Noemi, said the parade added life and brought tourists to the province. With reports from Rexan Nuarin, Mary Jane de Guzman, Shan Gabriel Apuli and Colin Abliter, Inquirer Southern Luzon trainees