- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Malacañang has declared Jan. 26 as a special non-working day in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, in line with its 49th Dinagsa Festival celebration.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of Cadiz be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” Proclamation 114, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said.
The festival fever heats up with street parties, the fluvial parade on Jan. 26, the Dinagsa Queen coronation on Jan. 27, K-Pop concert on Jan. 28, and the street dancing competition and the famous Lamhitanay sa Dalan on Jan. 29 as among the highlight activities this week.
The official opening was held Jan. 21, with a motorcade participated in by city and barangay officials, festival sponsors, business establishments, the Cadiz City High School/Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School alumni, force multipliers, road safety advocacy and unity ride participants, and national and local government offices.
Several sporting events were also held over the weekend, including the 1st BMX Challenge Jan. 22. The winners are, for Class A, 1st place-Von Rhyan Saplagio, 2nd place-Michael Baylon, and 3rd place-Christian Darryl Cordero; Class B, 1st place-Sam Ledesma, 2nd place-Klein Laureano, 3rd place-Vincent Paul Amalla;
Flatland, 1st place-Dwyne Lopena, 2nd place-Georich Cardino, 3rd place-Paulo Gepulango; Highest Bunny Hop-Von Rhyan Saplagio, Longest Gap-Andrew Laparan, Front Wheel Spin-Dwyne Lopena, Longest trick Flatland-Kim Jan Templado, and Best Trick Ramp-Von Rhyan Saplagio, the city said in a press release.
For the 1st Mayor’s Cup Sepak Takraw Interbarkada Category, the champion was Sicaba National High School, 1st runner-up: Gwaps, and 2nd runner-up: Whales United; while in the Men’s Open Invitational, the champion was La Salle Stingers, 1st runner-up: Victorias City, and 2nd runner-up: La Carlota City.
Gunsport enthusiasts also showcased their skills and technique during the Dinagsa 2023 Shootfest at the ACD Firing Range in Brgy. Banquerohan, while 97 teams joined the two-day Balik Dinagsa Football Festival, held at the Bayabas Elementary School field.
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Women’s Volleyball Team, meanwhile, took home the championship trophy in the women’s category of the Dinagsa Festival Invitational Volleyball Tournament at the Cadiz Arena Jan. 20 and 21.
Teams from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, University of St. La Salle, Living Stones International School, and Cadiz locals also competed in the two-day match, the city said.
The 1st Mayor Salvador G. Escalante Jr. Duathlon Challenge 2023 held Jan. 22 was participated in by duathletes from Bacolod, Victorias, Guimaras, Iloilo, San Carlos, Calatrava, Guihulngan, Sipalay, Canlaon, La Libertad, and Pulupundan./CGC
