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Butuan brgy celebrates Kahimunan

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:00

BUTUAN CITY - The recently concluded 25th Kahimunan Festival in honor of the Santo Nino last January 15, Sunday here was declared an overall success despite the lack of funds and an uncooperative weather. "It was an over-all success but we faced huge obstacle in terms of funding. This year was different since the city tourism turned over the management of Kahimunan Festival to Santo Nino parish," said Vincent Rosario, barangay chairman of Libertad and the chairman of this year's festivity.

From the start, the Kahimunan 2012 festivity was plagued with monetary problems unlike the previous years wherein the local government's full support and huge sponsors swelled the festival budget. The event was downsized to accommodate the short of funds inspite the overwhelming demand to outdo last year's success. Rosario pointed out that instead of inviting contestants for the street dancing competition from other towns, cities and provinces, the executive committee decided to limit the contestants only to those within the barangay, making the event exclusive to barangay Libertad.

Dancers battle it out amidst heavy rain to secure their place as Kahimunan’s best during the feast of Santo Nino in barangay Libertad, Butuan City last January 15, 2012.

Traffic in the entire national highway between Liber tad and JC Aquino of about three kilometers was rerouted by the barangay police, church and community volunteers, students and police personnel from Station 3 and from the Regional Public Safety Battalio to two adjacent barangay roads to accommodate the entire length of the street dancing and parade. Amidst heavy rains, the competition went on as thousands gathered around the Butuan City Sport Complex in Libertad to witness the culminating street dancing battle.

Butuan City Mayor Jun Amante during a speech congratulated the festival's organizer for pulling it off and hoped to be able to provide more next year. The local government through the city tourism shared P200,000 while another P300,000 was donated by Rep. Joboy Aquino for the event.