Parade of Lights, Tacloban City

Tacloban is definitely a Romualdez country. There's a Congressman Romualdez, Mayor Romualdez, Councilor Romualdez...

Very young Congressman.

Kring-Kring is a Councilor.

 

 Every street, streamers and tarpaulins were screaming the surname. 

It was Tacloban's Sangyaw festival during my visit. They celebrate it every last week of June, in honor of their patron saint, Sto. Nino de Tacloban.  I was right on time for the Parade of Lights. 

People were already lining the streets as early as 3pm, when in fact the parade will start at sundown.

Along Real St.

Just outside the Legislative Building.

I couldn't find a spot to watch the parade. It was just too crowded. I just stayed in my hotel room to watch from my window.

The view from  my window.

By 6:30 pm.

At 6:45, the mood became more festive, the music became louder, and the people were howling...signs that the parade was starting. First in line was the dragon dance:

Rendered by the city's Chinese community.

Floats embellished with lights, in all colors, followed:

The colorful lights symbolized the transformation of Tacloban, now being tagged as the most progressive city in the region. 20 floats were showcased, depicting the city's flora and fauna, history, landmarks and progress.

 

There was also a lot of street dancing, complete with costume and props:

This was nice. They were so graceful.

Butterflies!

Ala Juanita Banana =)

The float with politicians on board:

Man in black is Sen. Bongbong Marcos, while the lady beside him is Cynthia Villar.

That's Kring-Kring, in pink top and jeans.

The float of GMA 7:

Stars of Faithfully.

This float was loaded with GMA stars. The crowd was at its noisiest as people were screaming for their idols. I didn't recognize any of them, nor do I know any of them, except for Maxene Magalona *LOL*.

After the parade, these floats were displayed in the park, across Sto. Nino church. Here's a closer look:

This parade is one of a kind. Must be very expensive, considering all the LED lights that were used to brighten the 20 floats.

Good job, Tacloban!