The organizers of the 36th Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, that will kick off today until Sept. 30, assured the public of their sincere efforts to make the revelry safe and joyful.
Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo has directed all responsible officials and agencies to ensure the safety and security of all festival participants and revelers, as they join a series of events and shows that will highlight the unique history, proud heritage, exceptional creations, and wonderful talents of Dumaguete.
City Tourism Office OIC Katherine Therese Aguilar said in a press conference the other day that all stakeholders and working committees are ready to perform their respective tasks for the success of the festival.
As an opener, the Kuwerdas Filipinas Symphonic Rondalla will perform, starting at 7 o’clock tonight, at Pantawan People’s Park. It will feature new works written by composers from the Philippines, Australia, Greece, Israel, Italy, and Malaysia as part of the 20th anniversary of the Strings of Unity Festival.
Almost 1,400 athletes, meanwhile, will compete in the Sandurot half-marathon on Sept. 15, starting at 4 a.m., also at Pantawan People’s Park.
The culmination of this annual celebration will be on Sept. 28 when 13 contingents from the different barangays and schools will compete in the Sandurot Pasundalan street dance and Sandurot Pasundayag showdown competitions, the city said.
The competing contingents in the barangay category are Buñao, Cadawinonan, Junob, Looc, Poblacion 8, and Motong.
In the school category, the contenders are Camanjac National High School (NHS), Dumaguete City NHS, Junob NHS, Hermenigilda F. Gloria Memorial High School, Piapi NHS, RTPM-Dumaguete Science High School, and Taclobo NHS.
Remollo invites everyone to come and join the Sandurot Festival, in celebration of Dumaguete’s rich culture, history, and talents, buoyed by the optimism of a progressive and resilient city.
Also in attendance at the press conference were Councilor Rey Lyndon Lawas, responsible for safety and security, city sports and youth coordinator Ike Xavier Villaflores, coach Niño Piñeo for sports events, and Angelo Sayson for culture and arts activities. ||