USING the power of social media the 5th edition of the Kanlungan ng Lahi [KanLahi] Festival was a success despite of the COVID-19 pandemic and the virtual celebration was able to attract thousands of viewers on Facebook and YouTube under the “Tatak Tarlac Channel.”
Ten online competitions were held from March 1 to 7 that include Tarlac Ex-Drag-Avanza, KanLahi Online Dance Fest, Bonsai, Green Thumb, Photography, Municipal Static Display, Painting, Cake Design and Cultural Heritage Vloggingcompetition and Lutong Tatak Tarlac Cookfest.
Winners
Tarlac Ex-Drag-Avanza winners were Arjay Lapada[Ultimate Drag Queen], Daniel Bautista, Clejan Van Barbasaland Zareh Magaoay; In the Online Dance Fest, Best Male Dancer went to Carlo Capil [Bamban], Best Female Dancer-Crystell Jamea Peligro [Camiling]. Grand winner went to the Municipality of Bamban while second and third place were awarded to the Municipality of Camiling and Concepcion.
Dr. Mervin Mallari of Tarlac City was adjudged winner of the Bonsai Competition with Arriane Love Tacmo [Sta. Ignacia]-Plantdemic Queen, Eloisa Aguiam [Victoria]-Green Thumb Queen, Barangay Bacsay [Camiling]-Life Basket, Jerome Salazar [Anao]-third place, Jenelyn Moreno [Camiling]-second place and Breanna Blaines [Gerona]-Green Thumb Exhibit Grand champion.
In the photography competition, Joed Gragasin was adjudged Mobile Category Grand Winner with Reden Libanoplacing second and Jemarie Daguio third; DLSR Mirrorlessgrand winner was Cesar Diaz, second was Van Jayr Plata and third was Ara Jean Facur while in the Municipality Static Display, San Clemente was the grand champion, Bamban-second, Pura-third, Sta. Ignacia-fourth and Moncada-fifth.
Most Informative Vlog grand winner was Michael Angelo Pararigan [Moncada], Joshua Lazatin [Tarlac City] placing second and Joshua Alegre [Anao] placing third in the Cultural Heritage Vlogging Contest; In the Cake Design Competition amateur category, grand winner was Jewel Therese Lumboy[Bamban], Quinnie Duay [Capas]-second, Rica Pineda Bondoc[Tarlac City]-third. Governor’s choice went to Emmanuel delMundo Jr. [Tarlac City]. Bakeshop category went to JelexieBakeshop.
The Lutong Tatak Tarlac Cookfest saw Marvz Dioayan[Camiling] as the grand champion with Lowell Villamor[Mayummy Lomi House] placing second, Regin Paulo Villa Agustin [Victoria]-third, Louinne Sam Dianne Mariano [Sta. Ignacia]-fourth and Nelson Wage [Highway Panciteria]-fifth.
Hosts and Judges
The provincial government invited prominent personalities as host and judges for each online competition.
Andrei Queen hosted the Tarlac Ex-Drag-Avanza with Levin Arguelles, Eve Valdez [Binibining KanLahi 2020] and Popoy Caritativo as kudges; R.A. Timbol and Valdez hosted the Online Dance Fest and the KanLahi Bonsai, Green Thumb, Municipal Static Display, Photo and Painting Contest; Jasmine Omay was the host for the Cultural Heritage Vlogging and Cake Design Contest and movie and television personality Janice de Belen hosting the Lutong Tatak Tarlac Cookfest.
Governor Yap Grateful
Governor Susan Yap who conceptualized the KanLahiFestival in 2017 thanked all those who participated in the 5thKanLahi Virtual Festival and likewise congratulated all the winners.
“Sa lahat po na nanalo sa iba’t-ibang competitions natin sa5th Kanlahi Festival, congratulations! You have shown the talent of Tarlaqueños,” Yap said.
The lady governor said that this year’s festival was different from the previous editions.
“Itong taon na ito, naging kakaiba ang ating selebrasyon.Marami kaming naging diskusyon kung itutuloy o hindi dahil sadalang pangamba sa COVID. A lot of activities could not have happened because it is prohibited to have mass gatherings so the bigger events like the Binibining KanLahi, Mr. Tarlac, Pyrotechnic competition, the variety show and other competitions have to be scrapped,” she pointed out.
Yap said that this year’s festival all competition has to be done on social media because of the pandemic.
“We have to practice something new…we have to come up with new ideas to make it really enjoyable for everyone online. Kaya nakaisip po namin to create a Tatak Tarlac Channel so that all can view the activities in the safety of their respective houses.We have gone global because of this,” Yap said adding that she is very grateful and touched by all tourism officers and mayors in the province who supported the 5th KanLahi Festival.
“You have seen in this past few days how they presented their towns and city. Ako’y natutuwa na talagang napakita nilaang mga historical sites, tourism, the generosity and hospitality of each town. So let us all be united more so we are facing a pandemic. Mabuhay po tayong lahat and stay safe…Happy 5th KanLahi Festival!,” the governor concluded. –Arvin F. M. Cabalu/PIO
