SIBIT-SIBIT FESTIVAL ALL-SET FOR SUMMER

The Subic Bay Resorts Association (SUBRA) in coordination with the Olongapo City Government and Beach Boulevard Business Association (BBBA) is all-set as lead organization for the celebration of the annual Sibit-Sibit Festival on April 23 to 25, 2009 at Brgy. Barretto.

SUBRA Chairman and Brgy. Barretto Chairperson Carlito Baloy and Olongapo City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr., through the City Tourism Office has laid out the series of activities for the 2009 Sibit-Sibit Festival.

In an interview at SBC-DWGO, SUBRA Chair Baloy said that the success of the event is very significant for the promotion of the tourism industry. “It further boosts Olongapo’s potential as one of the country’s promising tourism hub.’’

“Ang tagumpay ng Sibit-Sibit Festival ay hindi lamang magiging tagumpay ng Barretto kundi ito ay tagumpay ng buong Olongapo. Nagpapasalamat rin ang SUBRA sa suporta at tiwalang ibinibigay ni Mayor Gordon,’’ Baloy added.

A motorcade will be conducted on April 22, 2009 at 2:00PM which will go around the main streets of the city to Driftwood Beach where a Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated.

The line of activities scheduled for the 3-day summer event are as follows:

DAY ONE
April 23 (Friday)

• Opening Ceremony/Umagang kay Ganda Coverage-5:30-8:30 AM
• Fluvial Parade and Banca Competition
• Amazing Bar Hopping
• Sand Sculpturing Competition
• Street Dance Showdown (highlight event)

DAY TWO
April 24 (Saturday)

• Barretto Fun Run
• Jetski Competition
• Banca Race Competition
• Beach Volleyball
• Food Festival
• Sibit-Sibit Singing Idol
• Local Show Band
• Bikini Open (highlight event)

DAY THREE
April 25 (Sunday)

• Beach Football
• Open Water Swimming
• Banca Race Competition
• Table Tennis Competition
• Darts Competition
• Food Festival
• Bingo by the Bay
• Battle of the BBQ’s
• Lingerie Fashion Show
• Beach Mardigras (highlight event)

ABS-CBN Channel 2 morning program “Umagang Kay Ganda’’ with segment host Winnie Cordero will provide national media coverage for the colorful festivities.

The Sibit-Sibit Festival is an annual event in Olongapo City that depicts its rich and colorful history. Sibit-Sibit is a word derived from the small banca used for fishing in the early times when Olongapo was still a fishing village.

The festival started as a barangay event of Brgy. Barretto. In cognizance of its potential in promoting Olongapo’s tourism, Mayor Gordon elevated the festival into a city event.

Today, the traditional Sibit-Sibit Fiesta has transformed into a colorful and enthralling festival bringing together Olongapo’s past, its thriving present and the promising future.

PAO/rem