A star-studded Ibalong Festival

MANILA, Philippines - It will literally be a legendary festivity as the country’s top celebrities join the people of Legazpi City in reliving Bicol’s epic legend of Ibalong this month.

Kicking off the star-studded festival are John Prats and Sam Pinto as they lead the Ibalong Grand Opening Program, along with the Street Party and Beer Plaza today.

Richard Poon and JC Cuadrado will serenade candidates in the Coronation Night of the Mutya ng Ibalong, one of Bicol’s top beauty pageants to be held on Aug. 19 at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation.

Celebrations reach fever-pitch on Aug. 20 as the festival reenacts the street theater of the epic legend with participants dressed in pre-colonial native attire.

Freestyle, on the other hand, will rock the night away in a foam party at Puro Coastal Road, one of the city’s latest tourist spots.

Other entertainment events include the LCC Night Megaxtreme One grand finals, a choir competition and the screening of Bicolano indie film Kubli at the LCC Theater from Aug. 18 to 22.

The Freestyle

Festivities draw to a close on Aug. 22 at the Landco Plaza Mall featuring Cristine Reyes and Jason Abalos.

Cast in the mold of the classic Greek mythology Clash of the Titans, Ibalong tells about the legendary heroes who rid Bicolandia of beasts and helped it attain its golden era.

The festival has since become the region’s trademark epic which symbolizes the Bicolano’s resilient character amidst adversity and trials, just like the frequent eruptions of Mayon Volcano and the recent Typhoon Juaning.