Masbate Rodeo Festival 2018 kicks off with street dancing showdown

Contingents showcase the culture and festivals of their respective towns and city at the opening of Masbate’s Rodeo Festival on Monday, April 9, 2018. (Photo by MICHAEL JAUCIAN / Inquirer Southern Luzon)

MASBATE CITY — Thousands of spectators from different provinces in Bicol flocked here at the provincial capitol of Masbate to witness the grand opening of Rodeo Festival 2018 on its 25th year of celebration Monday.

Dressed in colorful costumes made of native materials, students from various academic institutions in Masbate showcased their talents in the Festival of Festivals, a street dancing competition in which contestants interpret the story of their own town’s or city’s festival and culture.

The street dancing started at 2 p.m. in the main thoroughfares of this city.

Among the competing contigents were the Lapay Bantigue Festival of Masbate City; the Banwaan Festival of Balud town; Pamasayan Festival  of Mandaon town; Himag-ulaw Festival of Placer town; Bulawanong Ani Festival of Cataingan; and Pasayaw sa Leon Festival of Palanas town.

The group that showcased Lapay Bantigue Fest of Masbate City won the top prize of P1 million.

Department of Tourism Bicol Director Benjie Santiago described the opening as a spectacular crowd drawer.

“As always, we are expecting a great number of tourists just to personally witness the breath-taking steer wrestling or bulldogging, saddle bronc riding and tie down roping contest in the arena,” Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho said.

Staying true to the tradition of Rodeo Masbatenyo, residents donned their cowboy apparels and joined the opening parade with some of them on horseback.