Mindanaotoday.com | PLDT group joins Butuan City’s Balangay Festival 2022 celebration
AFTER a two-year hiatus, the City of Butuan in Agusan del Norte was decked in festive colors again as the city government led the celebration of the famous Balangay Festival, commemorating the rich history of Butuanons encapsulated in the “balangay” boats.
The flotilla found in the city are said to be the first-ever wooden watercraft to be excavated in Southeast Asia, which serves as proof of our ancestors’ trade relations with neighboring empires in the region.
Supported by PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and TNT, and with the city government allowing in-person participation, local organizers have mounted fun activities to liven up the city for a month-long merrymaking as it starts to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aside from honoring their patron Saint Joseph and celebrating the city’s rich history and culture, this year’s Balangay reboot also highlighted Butuanons’ talents with the city’s aspiring songbirds participating in the Musikahan Sa Balangay concert, while visual artists displayed their masterpiece at Garbo Art competition. Esports enthusiasts also took to the cyber arena in Smart and TNT’s Mobile Legends tournaments.
Local businesses tempted festival-goers with their products as they were showcased at the Balangay food fair. Demely Saavedra, a Butuan resident, is grateful to experience the festival again.
“Young people like me prefer this kind of celebration because there’s no substitute to watching concerts live,” she said.
Butuan City Councilor Cromwell Nortega thanked Smart and PLDT for their invaluable contribution.
“Finally, after two years, we have celebrated the Balangay Festival in our beloved city. The city government values the partnership with PLDT and Smart, as we share a common purpose of rendering quality service to the people,” he said.
“We are happy to work with the city government in making the Balangay Festival more memorable this year and bringing happiness to Butuanons who have missed this celebration for two consecutive years because of the pandemic,” said Smart’s Customer Development Junior Manager Jay Uchida.
Powered by PLDT’s fiber internet, the fiesta’s grand opening was also streamed live on Butuan PIO’s Facebook page. (PR)