Borongan City is becoming a tourist hub where tourists can immerse themselves in the City’s culture, and one way to do so is by visiting the City during its vibrant Padul-ong Festival.
With the intent to witness this year’s Padul-ong Festival, John Key, a 58-year-old foreign tourist from Texas, United States of America, has expressed his joy and how much he appreciates the locals’ warm welcome for tourists like him.
“We do not have [festivals like this], our culture is more of a western, [such as] rodeo. Bull riding, state fair. Nothing like a big parade. [And the celebration here] is much more colorful and musical… Everybody [is] enjoying to celebrate the Virgin Mary.” Key said.
Meanwhile, 59-year-old Tracy, also from Texas, USA, finds the Padul-ong Festival fun and mesmerizing as they witnessed the contenders’ exceptional performances and how the locals are devoted to Saint Mary.
“It’s actually our first time to witness this event, and I find it fun and enjoyable because aside from the performances, I’ve noticed how this festival means to the locals. They really are devoted to Saint Mary, as what I’ve seen. The crowds almost occupy each side of the venue,” Tracy stated.
Their Balikbayan friend, Flora Ferrer, shared how the festival celebration this year was way more fun and advanced because of novel technologies compared to the celebrations she attended before she left the country in 2000.
“Right now, I find it, the fiesta is much more fun than before. Back then, it was different, walang masyadong technologies. Right now, nakikita ko mas advance ngayon and enjoyable.” Ferrer shared.
Ferrer also remarked on the difference between this year’s Padul-ong Festival and the celebrations of the same before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the city, what with the decrease in the number of participants in various competitions this year.
“Actually before pandemic, yung parade, it was way fun than here, than now. Before, it was like, we noticed the competition was a lot. I was surprised there was like a lot of schools that participated.” Ferrer added.
Regardless, she still appreciates the performers’ love for the event through their efforts, and the competition is a remarkable part of the festival for her.
“I love how they prepared for the parade, all the dress up for which they put [in] a lot of effort,” Ferrer said.
To foster camaraderie among visitors and locals, aside from aiming for a vibrant spectacle, the City ensures that each Padul-ong Festival celebration is rooted in inclusivity.
#FunBorongan
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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭-𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 2023 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘚𝘚𝘜 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘵, 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺’𝘴 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
