 |
| (Image Source: Batangas Province Public Information Office/Froilan Salcedo Jr.) |
The skies of the Montemaria International Pilgrimage and Convention Center grounds in Brgy. Pagkilatan, Batangas City were filled with colorful and beautiful kites and kites during the fourth and final part of the Batangas Kite Festival 2024 held last March 24, 2024. The kite competition was organized by the Provincial Government of Batangas, led by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), in collaboration and solidarity with the Papagayong Batangueño Group.
Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Vice Governor Mark Leviste graced the last leg of the festival and joined in on the festivities by flying their respective kites together along with PTCAO Head Dr. Katrin Buted, AnaKalusugan Partylist Congressman Rey Florence Reyes and several participants. There were First Aid Booths, free bottled water, empanadas and hotdogs accommodating participants, guests and spectators all throughout the event, made possible through Congressman Reyes. Serving as judges for this year's kite fest are Gawad Kumintang sa Visual Arts Awardee and Arte Bauan member Ada Panopio, Dangal ng Batangan Awardee and Batangas Culture and Arts Council's Visual Arts Sector Head Lino Acasio, and Kite Makers of the Philippines' representative Arjay Monson who makes different types of traditional, Vietnamese and Japanese kites.
There were 64 participants in the meat category, 25 in traditional, and 15 in Open 3D who came not only from various towns and cities of Batangas, but also from the provinces of Cavite and Laguna. In the Pagandahan (Traditional) category, Teofilo Daniel Pasco won, followed by Kobe Caballes and Daniel Hobayan. In Pagandahan (OPEN 3D), John Louise Basit's kite took first place while Jan Alfred Musni came in second and Joel Jeremillo came in third. Pablito Alvarez had the highest rice reach while Jemat Espiritu took 2nd Place and Ariel Virtus took 3rd Place. Meanwhile, there were also special awards such as the Governor's Choice Award and the 365 Wonders Choice Award, both of which were won by the kite "Gragon" who hails from Naic, Cavite. 80-year old Batangas City native Meissner G. Dimaano was honored as the Oldest Kite Flyer to take part in the said contest. The participating winners took home a ribbon, certificate and cash prizes worth from Php1,000 to Php10,000.
(With words by Vinson-Roi De Chavez, Batangas Province Public Information Office)
