Photo courtesy of Cong Jay Khonghun
CASTILLEJOS, ZAMBALES – A vibrant display of community spirit and innovation marked the opening of the annual Castillejos Ako Festival today, as Barangay San Jose clinched the championship title in the much-anticipated Kuliglig Float Parade. Their winning creation, a meticulously crafted jeepney-inspired float, celebrated the town’s rich culture and burgeoning development under the festival’s theme, “Nangungunang Bayan sa Kultura at Kaunlaran” (Leading Town in Culture and Development).
This marks the second year for the festival, which aims to showcase Castillejos’ strengths in tourism, culture, livelihood, and unity, under the leadership of Mayor Jeffrey D. Khonghun. While Mayor Khonghun was unable to attend the opening ceremonies, his vision for the festival was powerfully represented by Vice Mayor Christian “Niño” Esposo. The event also saw the presence of Vice Governor Jaq Khonghun, who delivered an inspiring message and extended special greetings to the women in honor of Women’s Month.
Photo courtesy of Cong Jay Khonghun
The Kuliglig Float Parade featured an impressive participation from fourteen barangays, thoughtfully divided into two groups for a seamless procession. The northern contingent, including Magsaysay, San Agustin, Nagbayan, Sta. Maria, San Jose, Buenavista, and Nagbunga, paraded alongside the southern group comprising Balaybay, San Pablo, Del Pilar, Looc, San Nicolas, San Juan, and San Roque. All converged at the Municipal Plaza, where the creativity and resourcefulness of each barangay were on full display.
Each float was a testament to the barangays’ ingenuity, ingeniously utilizing recyclable materials to represent their unique products, arts, and traditions. Barangay San Jose’s winning jeepney float, which earned them a ₱100,000.00 prize, particularly impressed the judges with its symbolic representation of local transportation’s crucial role in delivering goods. Barangay Nagbayan secured the second prize of ₱80,000.00, with Barangay San Agustin taking home ₱50,000.00 for their third-place entry.
The Castillejos Ako Festival continues to be a powerful platform, demonstrating the town’s dynamic culture and the active participation of its citizens in forging a municipality that truly leads in culture and development. (Subic Public Information Office)