The coastal city of Ormoc, Leyte, is known for its fruits, especially pineapple, and that is why every year it celebrates the Piña Festival in a big way.
This year was no exception. Guests included members of Manila media, officials of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the actor Akihiro Blanco (the cab driver in “Born Beautiful”) who drew screams from the girls as the parade made its tumultuous way through the main streets of the city on its way to the plaza, where the “showdown” was held.
This part of Leyte is governed by a celebrity couple. Ormoc mayor is the actor Richard I. Gomez, serving his second term, while wife Lucy Torres-Gomez is the new representative of Leyte’s 4th district.
There were chants, white-clad beauties at the head of each contingent and frenzied choreography. Colors were appropriately yellow and green, with a dash of blue and pink.
The floats were from the national high schools, technical institutes, fast-food outlets and civic and religious organizations. Ormoc seems to have a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother. There were crosses and the Holy Family was represented in several floats, along with giant illustrations and decorations of the pineapple fruit.
It rained hard earlier that day but in the afternoon and early evening the weather cooperated; perhaps Mother Mary was pleased. —CONTRIBUTED