San Juan, Batangas, marked its 175th foundation anniversary with the vibrant Indak Lambayok festival on December 12, 2023. The highlight of the celebration was the Indak Lambayok Street Dance Open Competition, where Tribu Laiya clinched the championship for the second consecutive year. Their impressive performance earned them a prize of 50,000 pesos.
Comprising students from Laiya Integrated National High School and Aplaya National High School, Tribu Laiya showcased their talents in the street dance competition. San Juan Senior High School also made an impact, securing the second spot and a prize of 40,000 pesos. The awarding ceremony, attended by Batangas province governor Mark Leviste and other local representatives, took place at the municipal grounds in Buhaynasapa, San Juan, Batangas.
Images Courtesy of Jan Raizen Barlan (JBros Photograpy)
The festivities extended over four days, starting from December 9, 2023, and culminating on December 12, which was declared a Special Non-working Holiday in San Juan by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with the declaration, signed by former Chief Justice and current Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The jubilant atmosphere began with a civic parade and a holy mass on December 9, 2023, along with the grand opening of the Trade Fair and Art Exhibit at the old municipal hall. The second day featured a lively Zumba Dance competition at the municipal gymnasium, followed by an entertaining Bingo game at 1 PM. Meanwhile, a Cookfest and Barikan, a flair bartending competition, took place at the municipal plaza.
The third day’s activities included a heartwarming gift-giving event called “Color Run” at the municipal gymnasium, where toys were distributed to children. In the evening, the prestigious “Gawad Lambayok” was held at 7:00 PM in the same venue, recognizing exemplary San Juaneños for their contributions to the community.
The name “Lambayok” is a portmanteau of “Lambanog,” a distilled palm liquor, and “Palayok,” the local term for a clay pot. San Juan, Batangas, chose to honor these two products that the town is renowned for, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and talent of the community.
Source: Tourism of San Juan, Batangas Facebook Page
