TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Malacañang has declared Aug. 15 as a non-working holiday in this city, which is celebrating the “Pavvurulun Festival,” one of Cagayan Valley’s most awaited annual events.
Mayor Jefferson Soriano said the festival kicked off last Friday and will be capped on Aug. 15, a Friday, in observance of the Saint Hyacinth Day, the city’s patron saint.
The holiday will give residents, especially employees and students, to take part in the merrymaking on Friday.
“Pavvurulun,” an Ibanag term for unity and togetherness, kicked off on Aug. 8 at the city hall grounds, where most of the activities such as burning of annani (effigy of ghosts), fire dancing, torch relay and street dancing are being held.
Soriano said this year’s festivity will showcase the “festival of fire” as Tuguegarao is derived from the word “tugui,” which means fire.