Kasanggayahan in Sorsogon

It is only in Sorsogon City’s Kasanggayahan Festival that one may witness a unique dance called the “Pantomina”, a traditional dance that imitates love and courtship of doves or “sinalampati” in Bicol.

The Spanish colonizers changed the word “sinalampati” to “pantomina” because the dancers were actually pantomiming the doves’ movements.

Pantomina is usually danced during celebrations or occasions, like a bountiful harvest, marriage, fiestas and festivals, or other religious festivities.

It was really a wonderful treat and a marvelous sight to see the different contingents dance with gusto in the street parade dubbed as “Pantomina Sa Tinampo”. Imagine about 15 contingents from different municipalities of Sorsogon province dancing on the main street for a grandiose, unique and historico-cultural parade.

The Kasanggayahan Festival, meaning a life of prosperity, also featured events such as the Miss Kasanggayahan 2002 and the Bangkarerahan, a boat-rowing contest. There was also a trade fair and exhibit showcasing the products of Bicol.

Being a Bicolano, my late parents are from Juban, Sorsogon, the trip to Sorsogon brought back old memories. I was excited and thrilled to come home after 32 years.

Sorsogon City has improved a lot. From its previous rustic and bubucolic state, it has emerged into a wonderful, modern city that is the envy of some of its neighboring cities and towns.

Mayor Sally Velasquez Ante Lee has been pushing Sorsogon towards economic and social progress and consequently transform it into a beautiful, clean, peaceful and morally upright city.

The very first Kasanggayahan Festival was held in 1974, the 80th foundation anniversary of the province, upon the initiative of Juan G. Frivaldo, who was then the governor of the province.

Kasanggayahan Festival celebrated the 108th Founding Anniversary of the city held last October. This year’s theme is “Kauswagan Padagoson Magayon Na Kulturang Sorsoganon Atamanon” which means “To continue the progress, nurturing and preservation of the indigenous culture of the people of Sorsogon”.