Koronadal's 12th Hinugyaw Festival and Piyesta Korona 2012

It was a wonderful venture being part of  the six Soccsksargen Bloggers who were invited  by the LGU of the city of Koronadal. We get to experience first hand the celebration of the 12th Hinugyaw Festival and Piyesta Korona, which is also in conjunction with the city's 72nd Foundation Anniversary. 

Our day started early with a civic parade in  Koronadal's main thoroughfares. Afterwards, school kids from the elementary and high-school levels braved the rainy outbursts for the marching band/ drum and lyre competition in the South Cotabato Sports Complex. It was nice to watch these talented kids do their stuff marching and doing cart wheels while the rest did wonders with their huge base drums and cymbals. 

I am also proud to mention that the laurels of the drum and lyre open competition was brought home by the Eugenio Ranada Elementary School and the Christian School of Polomolok, both coming from my home base - Polomolok. *wink *wink 

The afternoon festivities for the Piyesta Korona started with a flourish as beautiful maidens (ahem and x-men too) strutted their beautiful rendition of Mardi Gras inspired costumes in the streets. It was a photographer's dream being able to take photos of the contestants up close. Registered photo hobbyists joining their photo contest (including us bloggers) were allowed access inside the cordoned area. So we can mingle and take photos according to our fancy. I only posted a few here, but you can view more of the photos in our facebook page. 

A little trivia for you: Piyesta Korona is the brainchild of current Mayor Peter B. Miguel to give emphasis on the "korona" or crown which might aptly describe the city of Koronadal. The event was composed of three different categories: Hinugyaw street dancing, Mardi Gras individual category and the Floats with their festival queens all focusing on the theme "crown".

Below is the winner of this year's Mardi Gras individual category. What I love about this contingent is the ingenious way they presented their idea in a very mardi-grah-ish way. The painted face and the huge crown all screamed mardi gras to me. :) I felt like being in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil just looking at him. 

Of course who would not notice the energy and hype of the nine participants in the street dancing competition..never mind that the street dancing lasted until late in the evening, but not once did I get droopy eyes all trough out just watching them perform. Some of the participants came from as far as Cotabato city and they all did a wonderful and entertaining presentation.

To cap the evening's celebration, the members of the LGU of the city of Koronadal released colorful lanterns while a grand fireworks display wowed the throng of people who attended the festival (including me :).

Kudos to the organizers of the 12th Hinugyaw Festival and Piyesta Korona. It was indeed a successful and fun event. 

Other Soccsksargen Bloggers who attended the 12th Hinugyaw Festival culmination day and the Piyesta Korona were: Avel Manansala of Gensantos.com, Doc Remo Aguilar of TacurongCity.net, Arzeriel Garcera of Pinasbackpackers.com, Aethan Yting of Aethanoscopy and Nanrdxz of South Cotabato News.

I would also like to thank our hosts headed by Hon. Mayor Peter B. Miguel- who incidentally is also the festival director;  Mr. Francis Sablon - asst. festival director, the members of the LGU of Koronadal City and the Sox blogger's official residence during the 12th Hinugyaw Festival - Cresta Del Rio Splash Resort.