CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines — Samar province celebrated its 147th founding anniversary last August 11 with an Agri-Trade Fair and the Tandaya Festival of Festivals competition, among others activities.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan told reporters in a press conference here that the Agri-Trade Fair promoted the agricultural and native products of the province for buyers from the other places to see and forge some trade deals as a result.
Tan said this year’s celebration of Samar Day also promoted the province’s tourism industry by presenting tourists’ destinations and souvenir products.
The highlight of Samar Day celebration was the Tandaya Festival of Festivals participated in by six contingents from different towns. The Kalinayan Festival of San Jose de Buan town took the champion’s crown, followed by Sadukan Festival of Motiong town, then Pahoy-Pahoy Festival of Calbiga town.
Samar and Leyte were part of Cebu province but were separated and made as a separate province in 1735. The military government of Spain in 1768 then divided Samar and Leyte into two independent provinces.
On June 19, 1965, under Republic Act 4221, divided Samar island into three provinces, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Western Samar. Then on June 21, 1969, Congress passed RA 5650 changing the name Western Samar to “Samar.” — Primo A. Cayubit (FREEMAN)