ILIGAN CITY (PIA) --The celebration of Diyandi Festival in honor of Senior San Miguel here has been merrier and more colorful since the Kasadya Street Dancing and Merry Making Competition was held again on Sept. 27.

JCI Iligan spearheaded the competition with support from the city government, the Executive Management Board, and the Department of Tourism - Region 10.

 “Kani atong celebration mao atong pagpasalamat kay Senior San Miguel nga gitagaaan gayud kitag chance nga mabalik ang kabibo sa Iligan. We are so blessed nga wala jud ta niya pasagdi. Let’s celebrate this fiesta with gratitude and love,” said Mayor Frederick Siao

[This celebration is our thanksgiving to Senior San Miguel for giving us the chance to make Iligan merrier. We are so blessed that he abandoned us. Let's celebrate this fiesta with gratitude and love.]

There were 12 participating barangays in the competition where Barangay Sta. Filomena was declared the grand champion and won P300,000 followed by Barangay Saray and Barangay Buruun that won P200,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Barangay Sta. Filomena also bagged other special awards which include Best in San Miguel, Best in Maranao, Best in Higaynon, Best in Batalya, and Best in Musicality.

Barangay Saray bagged the Best in Street Dancing and Best in Yawayawa (devil) awards while Barangay Buruun grabbed the Best in Diyandi Award. 

Meanwhile, City Administrator and JCI Senator Darwin Manubag shared that JCI conceptualized the said competition in 1986.

“1986 nahimugso ang Kasadya sa Iligan City. Ang kasadya means merrymaking. This is a tri-people event. In 1997, dinhi na emphasize ang tri-people nga feature ug battle between Lucifer and St. Michael the Archangel,” he said. 

[Kasadya in Iligan City was conceptualized in 1986. Kasadya means merrymaking. This is a tri-people event. In 1997, the tri-people feature and battle between Lucifer and St. Michael the archangel was emphasized.]

The street dancing started at 7:30 am followed by the showdown at the Anahaw Amphitheater which ended at 2:00 pm. (LELAntonio/ PIA-10-Lanao del Norte)