Subaraw Biodiversity Festival finally kicked off
With colorful head dresses and jolly faces, the Subaraw Festival finally kicked off with a community parade at Bgy. Cabayugan, Sabang Wharf, November 3, 2018. Hundreds of participants from different barangays, agencies and offices joined the opening of the first ever biodiversity festival of Puerto Princesa Underground River.
This is after marking the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the “seven wonders of nature” and the Presidential Proclamation of Subaraw Festival as a national event. Mayor Lucilo Bayron said that he invited Pres. Duterte to attend the event and hopefully include Subaraw Festival in the national calendar of events.
“Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang ating pinaka-main event ay sa November 10 to 11. Punong puno ng event simula umaga hanggang gabi at inimbitahan natin ang ating Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte para sa pinakaunang subaraw fiestival naniniwala ako sa kanyang mere presence at maitataguyod ang subaraw festival bilang national event at maihahanay sa national calendar ang ating pagdiriwang ng subaraw festival,” said Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
The lovely Subaraw Queens were also introduced during the kick-off program. It was followed by a boodle fight which was also joined by the city mayor Lucilo Bayron and councilors and other participants. The Subaraw’s first day also included Football exhibition and music festival. The second day included activities such as Sabang Beach coastal clean up and an hour of walk for the river coastal clean up at Bgy. Cabayugan.
According to Beth Maclang, park superintendent of PPUR, the barangay unit and the PPUR office, there is a twice a year clean up of the river because the river is where the underground river’s water comes from. The barangay unit, forest rangers, and other participants cleaned up plastics, logs and other debris along the river. Also, the Subaraw festival showacased other activities like bangkarera, beach volleyball and other more. The festival will last up to November 11, 2018.