The 2016 LGU Sportsfest opened in style, with a parade around Poblacion at 6:30 am to be exact, rousing townsfolk with a pleasant surprise of gaily festooned floats, each one carrying a muse and adonis in costume.

Creativity was the order of the day as each team outdid one another in thinking up ways to jazz up a sportsfest parade and float. The eight teams – Teams White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Violet, and Pink – strutted in a predetermined route around the Municipal Hall in their respective uniforms donated by the municipal government. They wore their colors with obvious pride as they were led by team leaders and respective floats that deserved close examination, owing to the apparent thoughtfulness and great preparation that went with each.

A convoy of motorbikes then a young drum and lyre band heralded the oncoming footsteps, stopping the early morning traffic in their path.

Leading the LGU pack was the Sports Committee, which trailed a float that carried an obviously male employee wearing heavy makeup and a tight black top and skirt revealing his navel, to the surprised amusement of onlookers. Festooned with multicolor balloons and wheels made of fans, and with a Jollibee mascot waving behind, this float proved to be the most eye-catching of them all.

Next was Team Violet, which chose fiesta as theme, with their use of colorful banderitas and floral décor. The muse and adonis chose to go sporty by donning their assigned apparel.

Team Green went native, resorting to brooms, buntal hats and bilaos and local produce as décor, to set off a lady in ecologically inspired wear and an orb-carrying man wearing a cape and floor-length skirt.

Next came Team Orange, which marched behind a beauteous muse wearing a crown and wings and a gallant man at her beck and call. A shed of delicate white whose base was lined with greens sheltered the pair from the rays of the sun. Right behind them were the team members who strutted with orange balloons, pom-poms, wands, visors, handmade skirts and necklaces.

Pink Team refused to be left behind, what with a dashing debonair standing tall beside a lady possessing finely chiselled features and the clearest of skin. The float caught everybody’s attention, as it looked like a gigantic bridal car. Of course, the hired drummers and team members strove to keep up, each team member carrying a long pink balloon with which to wiggle at the spectators. One just have to be there to capture the experience, as the photos won’t give enough justice to the team effort.

The Yellow Team chose to go floral, with yellow blooms bedecking a pretty miniature bahay kubo (nipa hut) with signs that proclaimed “PANGALAGAAN KALIKASAN.” The team passed along the parade route waving yellow flags. The muse and adonis went minimalist in contrast, wearing simple athletic garb but charming the crowd with the widest smiles ever.

If Team White stunned, it was because of several factors. Theirs was the only one that used an old-fashioned calesa (one wonders where they sourced that rare thing!). Their color simply set them off pretty well under the glow of the rising sun. And their muse and adonis were both endowed with striking beauty – the lady was fetching in heaven-inspired finery, while her man struck a princely pose. The team members likewise caught attention with their white wide-brimmed hats in addition to the white flags they waved along the way.

The Red Team blazed with a float bordered by pillars of red balloons topped with ferns that bloomed with chrysanthemums. Seated on this moveable throne was a muse in gleaming fabric that revealed innate pulchritude. Beside her was a tattooed, bespectacled guard that exuded confidence plus a winning smile.

Team Blue went last but definitely not the least. A dashing pirate carrying a machete stood beside his prized catch of a princess he must netted from a faraway castle. The expression the team members wore on their faces was definitely far from blue. Theirs were the face that declared, “We are ready to fight!”

Edgar Allan Yanga was declared the Best Muse; she strode off in simple jeans for shorts and an elegant pink-and gray blouse, while Arjohn Fajardo was declared Best Adonis; he was a vision in angel wings and extra-airy vest. They each received a cash prize of P2,000.

The Best Float award went to Team White, which received P5,000 in cash prize. Team Green was second-placer, while Team Blue placed third.

Team Pink was adjudged the Most Disciplined Team, after the group garnered the highest score in attendance. The team was given additional score points as reward.

Congratulations to all the winners and a toast to good health to everyone who gamely participated and displayed sportsmanship! (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)