• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The municipality of Candoni celebrated its 13th Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival with the theme: “Padayon ang Pagdayaw”.
The 4-day town festivities was highlighted by several cultural and sports activities including Lin-ay sang Candoni pageant and Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival street and arena dance competition on February 11.
On the eve of the highlight of the festivities was the coronation night held at the Candoni Sports Center, where Pia Bianca Soriano, a 21-year-old BS Management Accounting student, was crowned as this year’s Lin-ay sang Candoni.
Special titles were given to the four runners-up, Jimmy Jane Tanaleon of Barangay Payauan as Ambassador of Trade, Commerce and Industry; Marjorie Panongpong of Barangay East – Ambassador of Sports, Culture and Art;, Pia Bianca Soriano of Barangay West – Lin-ay sang Candoni 2026; Hennysy Wyne Noel of Barangay Caningay – Ambassador of Health and Environment; and Alexis Princess Mishkus of SK Federation – Ambassador of Tourism and Education.
This year’s selection committee is composed of John Eriq Bonifacio – Mr. Grand Philippines 2025 Pampanga; Mikay Bautista – Queen Philippines International 2024; Beatrice Luigi Gomez – Miss Universe Philippines 2021; Joeren King Finney – King of The World 2025; and Jerick H. Lacson – Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, Sipalay City Tourism Development and Promotion Office.
Nine barangays participated in the festival street and arena dance competition. Barangay Banga emerged as champion at the arena competition and took home a championship trophy and P60,000 in cash prize. It also bagged several minor awards including Best in Interpretation, Best in Costume, Best in Production Design, Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, and Best in Tagoy in Character.
Barangay Caningay was first runner-up and received a trophy and P50,000 in cash prize. Barangay Haba was second runner-up and also received a trophy and P40,000 in cash prize.
In the street dance competition, the winners were Barangay Caningay – champion and received P15,000 in cash prize; Barangay West – first runner-up and a P10,000 cash prize; and Barangay East – second runner and P5,000 cash prize.
Barangay Agboy was awarded the Best in Costume Display.
Candoni Mayor Rey Ruiz led the awarding of trophies and cash prizes to all the winners at the Candoni Sports Center. The event was attended by Governor Eugenio Lacson, Board Members Jeffrey Tobola, and Ralph Alvarez, and municipal officials.*
