KASANGGAYAHAN FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF OCT. 18

PROVINCE OF SORSOGON – This year’s Kasanggayahan Festival will officially kick off October 18 in lieu of the Oct. 17, the original commemoration date of the establishment and founding anniversary of the Province of Sorsogon, which falls on a Sunday.

“In anticipation being that Oct. 17 of this year falls on a Sunday, there is a much expected appeal and request from the different sectors that for the constituents to earnestly and passionately participate in the celebration, aforesaid date be moved on the next working day which is on the 18th of October (Monday),” says Executive Order No. 006 s. 2010 issued by Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee.

The kick off activity will be graced by the Department of Tourism Regional Director Maria Ravanilla.

In the morning, a thanksgiving mass will be celebrated followed by the hoisting of the flag, opening program, blessing of the Kasanggayahan Trade Fair and Exhibit at the Capitol Kiosk and ground-breaking activity of Balay Kasanggayahan.

The afternoon’s affair will highlight the Civic, Historico-Cultural and Float Parade, street dance presentation and fireworks display at night.

Kasanggayahan Festival 2010, under the theme “Continuing Commitment to Sorsogon’s Historical, Cultural and Religious Heritage” marks the 116th founding anniversary of Sorsogon province.

The two-week celebration has lined up various activities that include 15 days agro-industrial fair, parade, wellness activities, nightly shows, fora, pilgrimage mass, heritage lectures, street dances highlighting on October 29 the crowd drawer ‘Pantomina sa Tinampo’ and other exciting events.

”With the theme this year, we will see and feel the unrelenting support and partnership of the local government and the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc. (KFI) to introduce the province of Sorsogon and its attributes especially in the field of tourism to the wider world,” said KFI chair Msgr. Francisco P. Monje.

It can be noted that Donsol town now is included among the top 5 tourist destinations in the Philippines where tourists, local and foreign flock to this small town to see and interact with the largest fish in the world, the whale sharks, locally known as ‘butanding’.

Meanwhile, for a short glimpse of history, Sorsogon became a separate province of Albay on Oct 17, 1894 and 80 years after, the term “Kasanggayahan” coined by the then parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Jose Ofracio, came into existence and was adopted by the province to be the official name for its festival.

Hence, starting in 1974, the succeeding foundation anniversary of Sorsogon province was called “Kasanggayahan” which means a ‘land of happy, peace-loving people with bountiful harvest’.

Kasanggayahan Festival dubbed as ”The Festival of Festivals” is a celebration of the 14 municipalities and 1 city depicting its historical past and developing its rich cultural and economic aspirations.

October 18 is also declared a special local holiday in the entire province. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)