HIGALAAY CARNIVAL PARADE 2015: The Celebration Continues

Article and Photos by: Clement Dampal II

The Philippines is a country rich of festivals whole year round from January to December. It is said that each distinct festivals or commonly called “fiesta” has been part of the Filipino culture. These festivities serves and associated with specific purpose depending on the local communities either to commemorate and/or thanksgiving to one’s religious patron saint or to provide a sense of involvement to the culture and tradition of that particular locality. Nonetheless, the celebration continues.

In Cagayan de Oro particularly, the most important religious festival is the Feast of St. Augustine celebrated every August of the year most specifically every 28^th of the month. It is a month-long celebration of religious, entertainment, cultural, social, and tradition. It is a communal religious feast to honor the Patron Saint Augustine which serves a cultural and religious significance to the city. 

One of the said activities is the Cagayan de Oro Carnival Parade, a street festival marked by merry making an explosion of colors and synchronized singing and dancing. Revelers walk and dance to an international beat and flavor of Carnival- Cagayan de Oro style.

Now on its 2^nd year, the Cagayan de Oro Carnival Parade successfully concluded last August 23, 2015 (Sunday) with 5 contingents namely Macasandig National High School, Lapasan National High School, Barangay Carmen, Lumad Gusanon, and Barangay 21 stretching along Velez St. to Kiosko Kagawasan, Plaza Divisoria for the total performance.

The event highlighted two types namely the Street dancing harmonized by the beat of the music while enjoying their smooth presentation dressed to express the uniqueness of each locals, and the Carnival Queen featuring colorful and mixture of traditional ethnic inspired cultures showcasing the beauty of a Festival Queen. Participating groups were judged on their costumes, dance steps, and the totality of their given performance. Evaluated by respected individuals in the given field, the panel of judges includes Dr. Rowie Lim of Earist University in Manila, Ms Joan Bayona (Bukidnon Tourism Officer), and Mr Christian Aguado.

Macasandig National High School was announced as the Champion of the Street Dancing category as they showcased their grand costume during the parade accompanied with lively and synchronized dancing and received a certificate worth P100,000.00. Lumad Gusan-on garnered as the 2^nd Placer receiving P60,000.00 while Barangay Carmen placed on the 3^rd Row receiving P40,000.00.

The costumes designed by Emmanuel Mulawan, an Over-All Champion of the World Costumes Festival Mindanao.

On the other hand, Ms Theresa Denesse I. Perez of Brgy. 21 (Kap 21 Gigi Go) was crowned as the Higalaay Carnival Queen for this year receiving P10,000.00. Lumad Gusan-on topped the 2^nd Place with P6,000.00 prize and Brgy. Carmen received P4,000.00 as the 3^rd Placer of the said category.

Ms Theresa Denesse I. Perez, the crowned Ms Carnival Queen. The photo was published front page in Mindanao Daily News last August 26, 2015 Issue entitled: "The Higalaay Festival Queen with her Trusted Warrior".

Other awards includes the Most Thematic given to Macasandig National High School, Most Disciplined Award given to Brgy. Carmen, and Most Festive Higalaay Award given to Lumad Gusan-on.

The carnival parade was also supported by the winners of Miss Cagayan de Oro 2015 Pageant as they waved their charms to the spectators, and the Neo-Higaonon dress of Emmanuel Mulawan, the man behind the winner of the World Costumes Festival Mindanao 2015.

The event ended with an after-party.

 More photos here:  < 2nd HIGALAAY CARNIVAL PARADE 2015>  <--------- b="" click="" that="">

Kyle Jennerman of Becoming Filipino joined the Higalaay Carnival Parade

Presentation of the Carnival Queen to the crowd.