Lively drum beats, intricate costumes and skillful footwork heralded the Manaragat Festival last August 23, 2009, as students from fourteen (14) schools danced through the streets all the way to the City Plaza for the highlight of the month long fiesta celebration.

The contingents from the different schools joined in the customary civic parade along with other agencies, organizations and institutions before proceeding with the inter-school showdown at the City Plaza.

The festival performances often revolve around life at sea. Fishermen embarking on a sea voyage, their appeal to the city’s patron saint Señor San Bartolome for protection from harm and for a bountiful harvest are among the common themes depicted in most performances.

Some, however, are centered on local customs that originated in thier respective communities. Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School’s presentation was about the “Halad Mangirisda”, a ritual practiced by early fishermen which involved offering to the patron saint various agricultural produce such as fish, chicken, salt and candles to ensure a bountiful sea harvest.

Methods of fishing originating from a particular community such as the “Sapyawan” and “Manorumbok” were also demonstrated through dance by the Silanga National High School and District II Catbalogan Elementary School respectively. On the other hand, the performances of District I Catbalogan Elementary School, the Guinsorongan Integrated School and the Pangdan Integrated School were inspired by the city’s popular marine products as reflected in the Pasayan (shrimp) Festival, Mayahini (baby clam) Festival and the Tahong (mussel) Festival respectively.

The Manaragat Festival serves as a colorful and lively opening salvo for the Catbalogan City Fiesta, which falls on the following day. Performed in a mardi gras style, the festival is largely inspired by the Maqueda Bay, which bore a significant impact on Catbaloganons’ way of life in the past and even at present.

(Photos Courtesy of Ms. Blendz Tuazon)