Makati gears up for Caracol Festival 2008

The city government of Makati, through its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), is set to celebrate Caracol Festival 2008 on January 20. The Caracol, which is considered as the city’s unique version of the Mardi Gras, will be staged at the Goldcrest Open Car Park on Arnaiz Avenue, Ayala Center (beside Park Square I) at 4pm.

Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, together with his family, will lead other city officials, residents and guests in a grand parade marking the opening of one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

“The annual celebration of Caracol is part of the city government’s continuing commitment to preserve our cultural heritage and to promote the importance of preserving and conserving our environment and natural resources,” Binay said.

Caracol was conceptualized in 1986 and ushered in the Fiesta Islands Program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 1989. It features students from the city’s public and private schools wearing nature-inspired costumes and performing dances with the objective of instilling appreciation and respect for the bounty of Mother Earth and making them active participants in the protection and conservation of nature.

Also joining the parade are officials from the city’s 33 barangays, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, Representatives Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. and Abigail S. Binay, Ayala Land executives, general managers of Makati-based hotels including the Peninsula Hotel, Shangri-la, Renaissance Makati City Hotel, Inter-Continental Hotel, Dusit Hotel Nikko, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Likewise, The Department of Tourism (DOT) will be one of the sponsors of the Caracol.

Participants will convene at the Gabriela Silang Car Park at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues at 3pm for a grand parade along Ayala Avenue that will end at the Goldcrest Open Car Park.

Hundreds of students from the different public schools of Makati will take part in the event. This year’s participants include Makati Elementary School which represents Makati I division; East Rembo Elementary School representing Makati II division; Bangkal Elementary School for Makati III; Maximo Estrella, F. Benitez, Nicanor Garcia, and Jose Magsaysay Elementary Schools for Makati IV; South Cembo Elementary School for Makati V; and Palanan Elementary School for Makati VI. The secondary level will be represented by Bangkal High School; Benigno Aquino High School; Fort Bonifacio High School; Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School; Makati High School; Makati Science High School; Pitogo High School; San Antonio National High School; and San Isidro National High School.

On the other hand, the University of Makati will be joined by Centro Escolar University – Makati Campus on the tertiary level.

The highlight of the festivity will be a costume and dance competition, wherein the participants, all dressed-up in colorful Mother Earth-inspired costumes such as flowers, fruits, trees, and rare animals, will perform ethnic and tribal dances.

MCAO provided different themes for the three different categories. Flowers and insects for the Elementary level, marine life for the High School level, and endangered species for the Tertiary level.

Interested festival goers are also encouraged to wear body paints, masks and other costumes of flowers, birds, fruits, animals and endangered species, and join in the parade.

Consisting of 40 members each group, the contestants will compete for trophies and cash prizes as follows: First Prize – P40,000; Second Prize – P35,000; and Third Prize – P30,000.

Special awards will also be given for the Most Original Costume and Best in Choreography, including a cash prize of P10,000 for each winning group. The overall champion will receive P40,000.

The DOT will also be giving additional cash prizes for the winners.