Tacloban turns technicolour festival night
Tacloban City burst into colour and music on Monday as thousands lined the streets for the Sangyaw Festival Parade of Lights.
Footage shows illuminated floats rolling through the city, dancers moving in brightly lit LED costumes, and crowds gathering for one of Tacloban’s biggest nights of the year.
Held every June 29, the festival celebrates the city’s heritage and its devotion to its patron saint, Santo Nino.
Floats, lights and a city transformed
The parade marked a glittering prelude to Tacloban’s annual fiesta, with street performers, glowing floats and images of Sto. Niño moving through the packed thoroughfares.
Footage shows performance groups dancing in formation, their costumes flashing under neon lights, while large floats covered in intricate designs cast colour across the crowds.
For many spectators, this year’s celebration went beyond expectations.
Voices from the crowd
“Super extravagant! Wow! Fabulous! I have no words,” said Joanna, a local college student watching the parade. ‘It’s so beautiful.’
The spectacle also drew visitors from neighbouring provinces, including first-time festival-goers.
“It’s my first time attending this festival, and it’s incredibly grand!” said Mary Joy, who travelled from Eastern Samar. “I appreciated the policemen for ensuring everyone’s safety. The parade, the floats, and the dancers it’s all very grand!”
The celebration went ahead despite recent safety concerns in Tacloban. Local resident Ariel said the community was determined to enjoy the festival.
Origins and evolution of Sangyaw Festival
“I believe it’s an isolated case, and local authorities are addressing it,” Ariel said. “As far as the festival goes, we can still celebrate the festivities and enjoy its essence. It’s one of the most anticipated events of the year, especially the upcoming fiesta of Tacloban. As always, it’s colourful and full of lights.”
Sangyaw comes from the Waray word meaning “to herald or announce news”. The festival was first created in the late 1970s by then-First Lady Imelda Marcos to showcase Tacloban’s cultural heritage, folklore and devotion to Señor Sto. Niño.
It was replaced by the Pintados Festival in the late 1980s after political change in the Philippines, before being revived in 2008.
Since then, Sangyaw has grown into Tacloban’s modern Festival of Lights, a celebration of faith, culture and the spirit of the Taclobanon people.
Article by Viory.
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