It was the first lit party since Covid-19 and based on the number of revelers who came, people missed the Sarangani Bay Festival event.
Touted as Mindanao’s grandest and ultimate summer beach party, the festival has attracted partygoers from the different towns and regions in Mindanao for its nightly concerts, adrenaline-packed sports events, and family-oriented activities.
After two years of snoozing because of the Covid-19 restrictions, the festival was reignited on May 25 to 29, 2022 with the theme “Wake Up SarBay.” With the situation and restrictions currently improving, the Sarangans thought its time to slowly wake up SarBay.
On the first night of the festival, San Miguel Brewery (SMB) steered the outdoor chill spot area of Coco Beach where partygoers gamely jammed with Jeffrey’s Angels and Diarya band while enjoying their bottles of San Miguel Beer.
“SarBay citizens” (Sarangans/partygoers) packed the Coco Beach. All were having a blast because after two years they were able to experience the fun and excitement brought by the SarBay Fest.
As a precaution, the organizers made sure standard health protocols are followed. Compared to the previous festivals pre-pandemic time wherein it will be difficult to enter the venue because of the long queue of vehicles and people waiting to enter the beach resorts where the party take place, this year the crowd was limited to only around 10% of the usual partygoers years back.
This did not dampen the spirit and excitement of the crowd as they jammed, danced, and rocked the house down.
Although, SarBay Fest is synonymous to dancing, singing, drinking and having fun, it is also a beach party for a really good cause. Just like the previous festival, its main goal is to spread awareness on how to protect the environment and the marine life. This year, the celebration was highlighted with the series of Crown of Thorns (COT) collection activities by diving volunteers from various government agencies and private groups to save the reefs of Sarangani which have been infested with COT since the last quarter of 2021.
This year’s festival was capped with a clean-up activity.
The fest may be limited and mellowed down in terms of the size of the crowd, but its purpose has been achieved and that is to awaken and reignite the spirit of SarBay Fest. Hopefully, next year’s celebration will be much bigger.
SMB, a long time supporter and partner of the festival, extends its appreciation and congratulation to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and the Province of Sarangani for successfully waking up SarBay Festival and keeping it fun and festive, yet safe and environment-centered.
