ILOILO – Despite threats posed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Pavia’s Tigkaralag Festival is pushing through this year, according to Mayor Laurence Anthony “Luigi” Gorriceta.
But unlike the grand celebration that usually draws many spectators, this year’s festivities will take place online to ensure everyone’s protection, said Gorriceta.
“Tigkaralag” is a Karay-a (local dialect) word for the season or time of souls specifically referring to the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.
The COVID-19 pandemic, according to Gorriceta, halted all the grand plans for the 30th year of the festival.
“Due to COVID-19, may ginasunod kita nga mga protocols. Mangin simple na lang ang aton celebration through Facebook live,” Gorriceta told Panay News.
Citing the prohibition of large gatherings, the mayor also scrapped the dance-drama competition, the highlight of the celebration that gathers the biggest performances from the town’s 18 barangays.
With this, the local government unit (LGU) instead mounted a series of activities starting Oct. 20 until Oct. 31 and will be shown live on the Facebook page “Balita Pavinahon”.
The activities for this year’s 30th Tigkaralag Festival are the following:
* Oct. 20 – Best Tigkaralag Costume Photo and Video Shoot at Robinsons’ Place Pavia and Best Kalag Costume Photo and Video Shoot also at Robinsons Place Pavia
* Oct. 23 – Decorating Contest Photo and Video Shoots (barangay hall, day care center, tanod outpost)
* Oct. 25 – Posting of Best Tigkaralag, Kalag, and Decorating Contest for Netizen’s Choice Voting
* Oct. 31 (5:30 p.m.) – 30th Tigkaralag Festival Live Stream with announcement of winners
Winners of the Best Tigkaralag Costume will receive the following prizes:
* netizens’ choice – P1,500
* participation prize – P900
* plus certificates
Best Kalag Costume
* netizens’ choice – P1,500
* participation prize – P900
* plus certificates
Best Tigkaralag Decoration Contest
* champion – P10,000 and trophy
* 2nd place – P7,000 and trophy
* 3rd place – P5,000 and trophy
Special prizes also wait barangays that will be chosen as Best in Concept and Netizens’ Choice.
The LGU will also grant a subsidy in the form of donation to participating barangays in the Tigkaralag Decorating Contest./PN
