 |
| The judges of Virtual Saulog Tagbilaran Festival King and Queen 2021 helping promote a “safe” festival following COVID-19 protocols (left to right) - CCCA’s Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin, SMART communications’ Jennie Lagura, Fr. Val Pinlac, IBEX’s Jamm Mandado, and CCCA’s Jeycelle C. Espejo - Inting. |
For the past years, Saulog Tagbilaran, a festival that expresses thanksgiving to G-d through Saint Joseph the Worker, the City’s patron saint, has drawn thousands of local and foreign tourists who witnessed its grandeur and prestige.
More
than anything, it showcased the talent and creativity of the city’s 15
barangays. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a twist to the
approach of how the celebration was conducted this 2021.
 |
Donald Jack Gibb is Virtual Saulog Festival King 2021. |
Government authorities and event organizers, rightly prioritizing citizens’ health, are keen to give life to a low-key, but meaningful festival.
After
a year’s hiatus brought about by the pandemic, Saulog Tagbilaran this
year was totally different from what locals and visitors were accustomed
to.
The
greatest challenge was to be more creative in how festivities were done
to make Saulog a “safe” festival as it has gone “virtual”.
All
performers observed standard health and safety protocols to prevent the
virus from spreading. Likewise, it showcased colorful costumes and
props and synchronized dance routines of the performers.
Kudos
to the City Government of Tagbilaran, through the Saulog Tagbilaran
Executive Committee 2021 led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II as overall
chair; Mutya sa Tagbilaran Committee chaired by First Lady Jane Yap; and
the City Events, Culture, and Arts Office (CECAO) headed by Joseph
Alexis Cadelina for coming up with the Virtual Saulog Tagbilaran
Festival King and Queen 2021 which invaded the social media as it
beautifully portrayed the religious, cultural and tourism values and
inculcated positivity amidst the pandemic without sacrificing people’s
safety, as well as strengthened the Tagbilaranon’s culture of resilience
through the arts.
 |
| Camille Joyce Resane is Virtual Saulog Festival Queen 2021 |
Taloto’s
Donald Jack Gibb was adjudged Virtual Saulog Festival King 2021, while
Ubujan’s Camille Joyce Resane was proclaimed Virtual Saulog Festival
Queen 2021.
Following
closely were Cabawan’s Forrest Earl Todd, Jr. (1st Runner-up) and
Poblacion 2’s Sean Rey Tupaz (2nd Runner-up) for the Saulog Festival
King, while for the Saulog Festival Queen, Taloto’s Kyra Hopkins was 1st
Runner-up and Poblacion 2’s Claire Ann Virtudazo was 2nd Runner-up.
The
special awards went to Dao’s Johnjay Karaan as Mr. Ibex, Taloto’s Kyra
Hopkins as Miss Ibex, and Ubujan’s Rj Dominic Amores and Camile Joyce
Resane as Mr. and Miss Smart.
Tagbilaran
City Livelihood Development Unit Consultant Rev. Fr. Valentino Pinlac
chaired the panel of judges, with IBEX Operations Manager Jamm Mandado,
SMART Communication’s Jennie Lagura, Miss Tagbilaran 1987 and City
Council for Culture and the Arts Secretary (CCCA) Fiel Angeli E.
Araoarao-Gabin, and CCCA Treasurer and Mutya sa Tagbilaran resident
judge Jeycelle C. Espejo - Inting as members.
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