Langub Festival in Mabinay

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          Same time every year, many towns celebrate their festivals on the day of my birthday. Invitations come a week or two before the event and I just have to decide on which town I should go to. This year, with good friend Gharie Caceres of the Mabinay Tourism office sending the invitation by no less than power couple and schoolmate Mayor Ernie ‘Jango’ Uy and Councilor Joetry Abada Uy, how could one say no.
          This year, fellow Senior Tourism Operations Officer of Negros Oriental Myla Mae Bromo Abellana and I met halfway in Negros Island to support the 15th Langub Festival celebration in Mabinay . Vice Governor Mark Macias and Governor Roel Degamo also came to witness the dance festival with Board Member Mariant Escano Villegas and BM Rosario Ocay , we watched the street dance and proceeded to the showdown which ended at around seven in the evening. Shortly after , we were caught by surprise after the dance showdown when Myla and I were both called on stage, a bouquet of flowers were given to each of us and they brought out rectangular pink cakes while thousands of people in Mabinay who were there watching sang the birthday song for us, we blew the birthday candles as they applauded after . Wow!
          Langub Festival is on its 15th year, this was participated by eight clusters representing three to four Barangays per cluster headed by the municipal councilors. Many people really came to the center of the town near the terminal, I noticed a seven eleven  convenience store, Scooby’s coffee and pastry shop, and was informed that by April telephone lines will be all set and there will be three banks that will serve the town of Mabinay. A childrens park is being planned. The 14 hectare Mabinay Spring Resort is developing, the spring this time is full of water compared to last summer, it is pretty deep and best for kayaking, life vests are provided, the water is cold and really refreshing.
          Cabanas are available for big families as they provide extra foam for more than four persons, the canopy is ready for a walk up there overlooking the spring. They have a swimming pool and air-conditioned cottages as well, a ride around town would cost 8.00 per passenger of a pedicab, an air-conditioned  bus ride from Bacolod is only P222.00 per person, a hostel is right at the terminal which is so convenient. One can take the early morning trip to Mabinay via a Dumaguete bound bus and arrive before eleven and come back at around 7:30 via a Bacolod bound bus from Dumaguete. It’s hassle free and very convenient.
          The festival is for the preservation and appreciation of the unique formations inside the caves, as well as it promotes sustainable tourism and love and care for the environment we are in,  the town is known as the Cave Capital in Negros  Island.
          Winners for this year’s street dancing and showdowns are Cluster 4  as champion and was also awarded Best in Street Dance, Best in Showdown, Best in Costume and Drum Corps. Cluster 1 was awarded First Runner Up and Best in Choreography and Best Choreographer, while Cluster 6 on Third Place. The choice of the judges was unanimous and was tough , other judges were BM Mariant Escano Villegas as Chair , Dr. Carlos Bernaldes of NORSU, Maika Alanano of Sta. Catalina, Myla Abellana, Andrew Altarejos, and a representative  of Island Living Channel. 
          Miss Mabinay Angelika Tabo with First Runner Up Dawn April Anfone together with the rest of the five finalist attended the parade wearing their elegant gowns with crystal stones design .
          Many changes and plans are on the way in this booming town of Mabinay, Congratulations to Mayor Jango Uy and the very supportive Vice Governor Mark Macias and  Governor Roel Degamo.      

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