OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)--Throngs of spectators packed and lined up at the streets of Oroquieta to witness the live street dance, unique performances, and grand procession in honor of its patron Saint the Lady of the Holy Rosary, October 15, dubbed 11th Grand Concept Parade.

The parade consisted of an array of costumes, props, and even copycats of various indigenous cultures and arts.

Oroquieta Mayor Lemuel Meyrick Acosta said the city is starting to bounce back after two years of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kining fiesta celebration nato karon (This fiesta celebration of ours today) will become a party of Oroquieta right after the pandemic. We are here to show to our fellow Oroquietanons that Oroquieta is back and we are here to show to everybody, especially in the whole Region 10 that Oroquieta is back and we will be bouncing back stronger as ever,” he said.

Charlyn Claire T. Agustines from Manila expressed her experience during the grand concept parade.

“Actually, first time ko po talaga na makapanood ng ganitong parade kasi syempre nasa manila and ang ganda ng mga suotan nila du'n talaga ma-attract ka talaga kung anu-ano at different colors at tyaka iba-iba talaga 'yung mga concept nila and din meron talagang isang mag-stand out at ma-attract ka talaga dahil sa mga sayaw nila at props nila,” she shared.

(Actually, it's my first time to watch this kind of parade because of course I’m in Manila and their clothes are really beautiful. You'll be really attracted with the different colors and their concepts as well as their dances and their props)

The Grand Concept Parade competition was participated by different sectors of society, including schools, local businesses, national government agencies and civil society, and the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental.

For the Grandest Float competition, entries included the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) MisOcc 1st DEO, M. Lhuillier, and Palawan Pawnshop.

A total of five participants joined the competing entries namely ABC South, DepEd-Oroquita City Division, Oroquieta City Government Employees Association- Medieval Gaiety (OCGEA), ABC North and Alpha Kappa Rho.

Non-competing entries are floats from the Binibining Oroquieta 2012, Infinitea, Julies Bakeshoppe, Oroquieta Masonic Family, Province of Misamis Occidental, Clan under text 2011-2022, 35 Yamaha, Pryce Cases Inc, OCWD and Guardians.

Prizes for the winners start from P250,000, P200,000, P150,000, P100,000, and 75,000 for the first, second, third and fourth places with special awards and consolation prizes for all contingents.

Winners for the Grandest float include the Oroquieta City Government Employees Association (OCGEA) (1st); DepEd Oroquieta City Division (2nd); Alpha Kappa Rho (3rd), and ABC North (4th) ABC South. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)