16th Kabkaban Festival honors famous Carcaranons

CEBU, Philippines — The contingents in Carcar City's 16th Kabkaban Festival honor the lives of different prominent Carcar natives who have contributed to what Carcar is today.

Among these personalities were Msgr.Teofilo Camomot and some philanthropist who donated a portion of their property that was used to build a school.

According to Kabkaban Festival director Val Sandiego, this year's celebration is more improved as compared to the past years.

The contingent from Liburon National High School was hailed as the grand champion in the ritual showdown competition.  They portrayed the life of Lorencia "Inday Loring" Limbaga, a famous faith healer in their area.

In the second place was Roberto E.  Sato Memorial National High School, which honored the life of Roberto Enad Sato, who donated a lot for the construction of a school building while the third prize winner was Ocaña National High School, which honored the life of Carmelo Tamayo.

Tamayo also donated a lot for the construction of a school building.

The grand prize for ritual showdown competition is P20,000, second prize isP15,000 and third prize is P10,000.

Ocaña NHS also won the grand prize of P10,000 for  the street dancing competition while Roberto E.  Sato Memorial NHS bagged the second prize. They took home P7,000.

Tuyon NHS won the third prize in the street dancing competition receiving P5,000.Tuyon honored three famous Carcar natives — Marcel Navarra, the father of Cebuano short stories; Manolito Languido, a famous composer, and Gaudencio Watin, a philantrophist.

The Can-asujan NHS won the best in costume award and took home P10,000.  The judges said they changed costume on stage with ease.

It was Carcar NHS that honored the life of Msgr.Camomot in their presentation. However, they did not win in any of the categories.

The guest performer, Gelacio Babao Memorial NHS, portrayed the successful marriage of Carcar Mayor Nicepuro Apura and his wife, Mercidita.

Kabkaban Festival is one of the highlights of Carcar City's fiesta celebration in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the town's patroness.

Apura told reporters that he was proud of all the students who participated in the festival adding that each year, the performance has improved.

"Ni-level up na ang atong mga performers," he stressed.

The mayor revealed that each contingent was given a subsidy of 130,000 each. (FREEMAN)