NAGA CITY (PIA) – JAIR Agri-Supply vested 28 other competitors after being adjudged as the over-all Champion in the recently concluded Harana Festival Inter-Barangay, Inter-Agency Float Parade Competition 2023 spearheaded by LGU San Jose, Camarines Sur.

San Jose Mayor Jerold B. Peña decided to revive the Harana Festival, after years being at the backseat due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

A total of 29 participants signed in for the competition held February 13, Monday. Twenty-seven entries came from the various barangays of San Jose while 2 other organizations also tried their luck to bring home the bacon.

Barangay Mampirao made it as 1st runner-up and bagged P25,000 while, Barangay San Antonio followed suit as 2nd runner up and received a cash prize of P20,000.  JAIR Agri-supply brought home P35,000.

The following criteria were used to evaluate the floats in accordance with the theme "Kansyon ning Paglaom" or Songs of Hope: 25% for overall appearance, which includes presentation, originality, and style; 25% for craftsmanship, which includes the neat adornment, and 25% for safety, which denotes that the decorations are firmly fastened to the float. The remaining 25% will be used to determine how closely the float adhered to the subject.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency-Camarines Sur, Peña expressed his desire to revive the LGU’s traditional Harana Festival as it mirrors the passionate and loving nature of its residents, and the town’s rich cultural heritage.

"Our rich cultural heritage makes us genuinely proud. San Jose is a municipality full of extraordinarily gifted, musically inclined, and culturally and historically significant individuals. Everyone and every San Joseans should keep that in mind. The LGU San Jose father said, "I'm here to light that fire and bring out the best in them.”

The parade organizers also reminded the participants that all floats must join the parade and that they must make sure that their beautifully-crafted floats can pass below any obstacles along the march’s path, such as power lines and trees. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)