ILOILO’S Pavia town capped the year paying homage to its rich culture and history despite the challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Its renowned Carabao-Carroza Festival took place December – a long walk away its original May 3 celebration.
The festival, one of the oldest tourism events in the province of Iloilo, is an annual avenue for Pavianhons to showcase their creativity and eternize the town’s heritage as an agriculturally-blessed locale.
However, on its 48th edition, the world missed two of its sought-after attractions – the Carabao-Carroza Parade and the Carabao-Carroza Race.
On a brighter note, the search for Carabao-Carroza Festival Queen pushed through “under strict health protocols and supervision of health authorities.”
“This is the first ever pageant and coronation during this time,” Pavia Tourism Officer Dexter Dizon told Panay News. “It is aimed at continuing our tradition as Pavianhons amidst this unprecedented time.”
The pageant, held last Dec.22, 2020 via a live streaming on Facebook, featured 18 young women from across the municipality as they stood up carrying the pride of their respective barangays along with their personal accounts and advocacies.
Elaisha Pomida of Brgy. Aganan was crowned as 2020 Carabao-Carroza Festival Queen; Brgy. Purok 3’s Christine Octoso finished as 1st runner-up; Ma. Alessandra Louise Hubayan of Brgy. Pagsanga-an came in second; Marjorie Gallano of Brgy. Balabag ranked third; and Brgy. Jibao-an’s Antonette Cuenca completed the top 5.
Pavia, which is celebrating its centennial anniversary today, was one of the topics of the night.
“This is more than just a celebration of our rich cultural heritage as Pavianhons. Our 100th year symbolizes the strength, resilience, unity, hope and love that have never wavered,” festival queen Pomida said.
“No pandemic can trample the fire in the hearts of the Pavianhon people,” she added.
And true to its drive, Pavia braved last year’s track because aside from the festival coronation, it conducted other events such as the Tigkaralag Festival and Paskua 2020, with health and safety protocols in place.
Dizon added that if the situation permits, a Carabao-Carroza Festival will be held in May this year./PN
