1st Tago Tabanog Fest

The 1st Tago Tabanog Festival soared to unexpected heights with a total of 26 participants four of whom were women. The youngest participant was four years old while the oldest was 28. It was estimated that close to 400 Tagon-ons went up the Tago-Lapaz Bridge to witness another first of its kind from I-LOVE-TAGO Movement (ILTM).

The kite flying contest was for flat, conventional type. But surprisingly, the kites still charmed, coming as they did in different shapes, colors, and sizes. The organizers picked the major winners using the following criteria: Design (including Artistry [15%] and Uniqueness [15%]) 30%; Ease of Flight or Take-off (35%); and Gracefulness (35%). Minor awards were given to Intutan (smallest), Badinga (biggest), and Kinahimaya (crowd favorite). The winners were: Kahlil Dominique Amindalan, Grand Prize (2,000); Val Laurente, 2nd Prize (1,500); Nilo Gallardo and Ariele Nicole Amindalan, 3rd Prize (1,000). The smallest kite was flown by Brian Mark Cabadonga (500); the biggest by Val Laurente (500); and the crowd pleaser by Mark Pontevedra (500).

In order not to confuse the judges and to facilitate ease in judging the contest, the participants were made to fly their kites in batches of five. And when finally all 26 kites were flown simultaneously, the crowd roared with approval and clapped their hands. As kites dotted the clear blue skies of Tago, people looked up and stared in amazement as kites danced to the rhythm of the wind.

To sum it up in four words: it was a success!



I-LOVE-TAGO Movement is indebted to PNP personnel for crowd control and if not for them, the contest would not have been conducted orderly. ILTM is also grateful to Ms. Gracey Elizalde of Singapore for donating a cash prize and to Ms. Bingbing Dagaang and her brother who provided assistance without counting the cost. And most importantly, ILTM owed much support from Mayor Henrich Pimentel for allowing the PNP personnel to be at the venue and for helping promote the activity via local radio and tv stations.

During the awarding that TV6 covered, it was announced that next year’s Tabanog Fest will be bigger as it will have the flat and the figure kite categories and that a training for figure kite will be conducted in preparation for the big event.



After prizes were given, the instant diving competition ensued. But that's completely another story and another blogpost.