ALEGRIA, CEBU — Gov. Gwen Garcia graced the inaugural ritual showdown of the Que Alegre Festival on December 2 here, pledging a total of P4.43 million in support of this town’s socio-cultural offering.
Mayor Gilberto Magallon and Vice Mayor Verna Magallon welcomed the Governor at the Municipal Grounds here as the festival showcased the talent of eight competing contingents — with three contingents coming from the elementary schools while the remaining five belonged to the high school category.
Also in attendance were Seventh District Board Members Sarsi Baricuatro and Jerome Librando, Fifth District Board Member Red Duterte, as well as mayors from the neighboring towns: Ronda Mayor Terrence Blanco, Alcantara Mayor Fritz Lastimoso, and Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica.
Impressed by the performances, Governor Garcia announced that the Capitol would allocate P150,000 for each of the eight contingents to help them cover their expenses. Additionally, P3 million was earmarked to subsidize the LGU’s socio-cultural programs.
The top three winning contingents also received special awards from the Governor’s private funds. She gave P20,000 each to the third prize winners in both the elementary and high school categories; P30,000 each to the second prize winners; and P50,000 for the first prize winners of both categories.
Governor Garcia also ensured that the two non-winning high school contingents would not leave empty-handed, as she allocated P10,000 for each of them, along with an additional P10,000 for a high school contingent that overcame a technical glitch, finishing their dance without accompanying music.
“Here in Alegria, we exemplify our commitment to excellence. Once you stand among the province’s top performing festivals, you are expected to embody nothing less than excellence,” Gov. Gwen said in her speech.
The festival honors Saint Francis Xavier, the town’s patron saint, whose fiesta is celebrated annually on December 2. | MARM
