Bigger, grander
• 2019 Torotot fest is the most expensive yet: Organizer
THIS YEAR’S Torotot Festival promises to be grander and more exciting.
Beethoven Sur, corporate affairs manager of Phoenix Petroleum, the event’s main sponsor, bared that they increased their budget by 20 to 30 percent compared to last year.
“Over a million was allocated as a budget for last year’s (Torotot) festival. But we have increased it now, and every year we want to innovate so that we can invite more participants and audience,” he said during a media forum on Wednesday at Dencio’s Kamayan, SM Lanang.
With the increase in budget, Sur said they also expanded the prizes and added a raffle draw to this year’s event.
“You can win Christmas giveaways and cash prizes. We would like to
have this opportunity to let the audience have the chance to win also,” he said.
Sur also admitted that there has been a lack of preparation last year due to the shortage of time. But as he said, they are here to “improve more and bring more smiles to the Davaoeños.”
The Torotot Festival is celebrated in support of the city’s advocacy of celebrating the New Year in a safe, costefficient, and at the same time, enjoyable manner without using firecrackers. This is also in line with the city’s Firecracker Ban Ordinance.
“We would like to emphasize that even if there are no firecrackers, we can still enjoy our merry-making while also being wise-making,” Generose Tecson, City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head said.
All barangays are invited to this year’s year-end celebration by participating in the 2019 Davao City Torotot Fest competitions: the giant torotot competition, the Torototinspired costume competition, and the dance competition. They are open to all residents, dance groups, and barangays in the city.
Interested participants can get entry forms from the CTOO located on the 2nd floor of Pasalubong Center, Palma Gil St. near People’s Park, and some Phoenix stations in Gmall Toril, Ponciano and Lanang. The forms can also be downloaded at Phoenix Petroleum’s website www. phoenixfuels.ph
The deadline for entry submissions and requirements to the CTOO will be on Dec. 23, as the Torotot Festival will be celebrated on Dec. 31, at 6 p.m. in Rizal Park.