LALA, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--This coastal town comes alive once again with a crab-themed grand street dancing parade that mesmerized residents and visitors during its 74th Araw ng Lala, featuring its 22nd Alimango Festival.

People at the festival were mesmerized by the colorful costumes and props and crab dance moves during the much-anticipated street dancing competition, which was put on hold for almost three years because of a pandemic.

The local government of Lala gave P105,00 each to the participants as a budget for the said competition.

Five schools vied for the street dancing competition that hailed contingents from Christ the King College de Maranding as the grand champion, taking home a P70,000 cash prize. They also took home the awards for Most Disciplined Contingent, Best Choreography, and Best in Costume.

Lala National High School snatched the 1st runner-up and the Most Lively Contingent award, receiving P50,000. Lala School of Science and Technology Inc. was the 2nd runner-up and won P30,000. They also bagged the Best in Alimango Step and Best Festival Queen awards. The North Central Mindanao Colleges won as the 3rd runner-up and received a P7,500 cash prize. They also bagged the Best in Musicality award. Lala Proper Integrated School was the 4th runner up.

"Ginainvite ‘ta mo nga makabisita mo sa Lala. You are very much welcome sa munisipyo. Giawhag nako ang mga katawhan sa Lala nga magtinabangay, magsinabtanay lang ta para sa kalambuan sa atong munisipyo," said Lala Mayor Angel "Tata" Yap. 

(We invite you to visit Lala. You are very much welcome to the municipality. I am calling on the people of lala to work together, let's unite for the development of our municipality.)

Meanwhile,  residents also participated in various sporting events such as sepak takraw, volleyball, and basketball.

"Daghan kaayo ang sports program namo. Mu-involve og lain-laing sektor. Nakita nako ang sports makapa-unify sa katawhan sa lungsod, labi na sa fraternities na makabuild og lain-laing relasyon maka-fellowship sa lain-laing grupo. Mao ang resulta maayo ang lakaw namo sa lungsod sa Lala," said Vice Mayor Cesar "Poloy" Yap, Jr.

(We have a lot of sports programs that involve different sectors. I have seen that sports can unify people, especially the fraternities that can build different relationships and fellowship with different groups. As a result, we are doing well  here in Lala.)

Residents also availed themselves of free services such as medical checkups, hair cuts, tooth extraction, and contraceptive implants, among others. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)