PAGADIAN CITY, Jan 13 (PIA)  -- The week-long celebration of the Pasalamat Festival 2023 has concluded with Pagadianons and tourists filling the streets to join and witness the climax event, the Street Dance and Ritual Competition; which is back after two years of hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sa Pasalamat Festival, pinasasalamatan talaga namin na ang COVID ay nawala na. For the first time we can celebrate the Pasalamat Festival without any restriction. So sa fiesta namin, at least meron nang street dancing,” said Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co.

The Local Government of Pagadian gives all-out support in the celebration as it prepared grandiose prizes for all 16 contingents to the Ritual dance showdown.

Barangay Tawagan Sur, the winning contingent takes home the grand prize of Php 600,000.00. Barangay Tuburan placed 2nd and was awarded Php 500,000.00, Barangay Balangasan placed 3rd and was awarded with Php 400,000.00. The 4th place, Barangay Danlugan takes home Php 300,000.00 and the 5th Place Barangay Tiguma was awarded Php 250,000.00.

Meanwhile, each non-winning contingent receives consolation prizes of Php 180,000.00 each.

Senator Francis Tolentino who was invited to grace the event said this is his first time witnessing a festival dubbed ‘Pasalamat’.

“What you have here is different. Gratitude is the doorstep to happiness. And Pagadian is showing that. Nagpapasalamt kayo, ibig sabihin masaya kayo,” Senator Tolentino said. 

The Pasalamat Festival 2023 is wrapped up with a Grand Street Party at the city proper with the Bagani Reggae band on the lead. Thousands of Pagadianons and tourists partied from Sunday evenning until dawn of Monday, January 16.

The Pagadian City Police Station has reported no untoward incidents during the whole duration of the festivity, making the Pasalamat Festival 2023 a successful one.  (NBE/CCP/PIA9)