GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 16 April) — Mindanao’s biggest annual beach party, the Sarangani Bay Festival (SarBay Fest), will have scaled-back celebrations next month due to the fuel crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, Gov. Rogelio Pacquaio announced. The festival, set for May 22 in Glan—a town renowned for its white sand beaches—will forgo grand festivities, including performances by national celebrities and popular bands, as part of provincial austerity measures.
Pacquaio urged patrons to understand the simpler approach, emphasizing the impact of rising commodity prices on the region. This year’s event will prioritize environmental advocacy, focusing on the “I Love Clean SarBay” campaign with coastal clean-ups and conservation efforts for the 215,950-hectare Sarangani Bay, a protected seascape since 1996.
Past editions of SarBay Fest, launched in 2006, featured concerts, fireworks, and competitions like jet ski races and bancarera, drawing crowds of up to 400,000. Glan, often called the “Boracay of the South,” also boasts heritage colonial houses and ties to the 1521 Magellan expedition, as noted by chronicler Antonio Pigafetta. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
