By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase
Tacloban City [December 2008] – To celebrate Christmas and to give entertainment to Taclobanons, the Tacloban Sangyaw Foundation, in cooperation with the city government here, will hold a “Christmas Festival” from December 17-22 at the Balyuan Amphitheater.
Sangyaw Foundation President Alex Montejo said that the festival will feature nightly shows at the amphitheater, except on Dec. 18-19, to be performed by different cultural contingents from this city.
The Leyte Normal University (LNU) Christmas Cantata, Musika Sentra Consort, and cultural contingents from the Leyte National High School (City Division) and Holy Infant College (HIC) will be at the amphitheater on the night of the 17th for a series of socio-cultural performances.
On the 20th, it will be the turn of the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Performing Groups to stage their shows at the said venue.
The next evening, the amphitheater will be the site of shows to be performed by the Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company and the Balangaw (UP Performing Arts Groups).
A Dance Drama Completion pitting 17 cultural groups will conclude the festival on Dec. 22.
The contingents that will compete in said contest are the Dance Alliance, Samlayaw, EVSU Performing Arts, Expedition, Volunteers for the Visayas Program for the Arts, Special Program for the Arts (LNHS), Dance Rhythm, Leyte Dance Theater and the Danhani Dance Corps.
“The goals of holding such activities are to celebrate the Yuletide season, promote wholesome entertainment for Taclobanons, attract more tourists, and to address the problem of declining youth interest in the culture and arts,” Montejo said.
“The shows are for free and we are inviting everyone to watch and appreciate the culture of this region through them,” he added.
