• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo is aiming to make the resurrected Tigkalalag Festival a permanent festival of Isabela in Negros Occidental.
“We don’t want that if there is a new mayor, the town will also have another festival,” he said.
Yulo discussed the plan with reporters during the opening of Uswag Isabela Agri and Community Trade Fair on Thursday, April 23.
The Tigkalalag Festival had a triumphant comeback in his first year as the town mayor.
Isabela bagged the championship in the municipal category of the 30th Panaad sa Negros Best of Festival Dances held last week.
Tigkalalag was launched on All Souls’ Day in Nov. 2, 2008 by the late Isabela Mayor Renato Malabor Sr.
Yulo said that Isabela town is popularly known for its Tigkalalag Festival.
“This is our festival, this our culture; this our history, this our identity,” the neophyte mayor said.
The Municipal Council led by Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr. is slated to pass an ordinance, making the Tigkalalag as the permanent festival of Isabela.
The Tigkalalag Festival is a distinct, morbid-themed cultural celebration being held annually from October 31 to November 2 to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The festival highlights local traditions, featuring spine-chilling, high-energy performances. | GB
