Cristo Festival is an annual week-long festivity in Barangay Dap-Dap, Legazpi City from May 22 to 31 in honor of its dear patron, Sto Cristo. It is a celebration of thanksgiving for the many blessings and graces the devotees received from Him. It is participated by thousand of devotees and visitors coming from the 13 neighboring coastal barangays of Lamba, Puro, Buraguis, Binanuahan East, Binanuahan West, Imperial Court Subdidivison-23, Victory Village North, Victory Village South, Sabang, Pigcale, Baybay, San Roque, the host barangay Dap-Dap, and those coming from other areas. It started in 1997 when the barangay authorities shifted its focus from the traditional “barrio fiesta” celebration of dances and pageantry to a more meaningful and deeper manifestation of their love and devotion to their dear patron by putting God at the center of the occasion. It was on this year that the 1st Sto. Cristo Grand Maritime Procession was held. Inspired by its huge success and the ever-increasing support and participation of the devotees and the neighboring coastal barangays, the Sangguniang Barangay of Dap-Dap, Legazpi City, then headed by its former village chief, Glenn J. Joy Colina, who was then assigned at the St.Raphael Parish Church of Legazpi City, and in coordination with the religious group in Dap-Dap headed by the late Barangay Hermana Pilar J. Barcelon, spearheaded the first-ever, barangay-based festival in Legazpi City---the Sto. Cristo Festival 2001. Now on its 10th year, the Sto. Cristo Festival was able to grow and sustain its implementation because of the strong support and participation of the devotees, the barangay officials of Dap-Dap and its neighboring coastal barangays, the PBN Broadcasting Network, Inc., as the official media partner, the City Government of Legazpi, the Provincial Government of Albay, the Department of Tourism Regional Office No. V, and other benevolent individuals and institutions. The tradition continues…The Sto. Cristo Festival 2011 is presently managed by Punong Barangay Mayet N. Barcelon and her Council, and in partnership with the newly-formed Barangay Pastoral Council (BPC). THE MIRACULOUS IMAGE
The image of Sto. Cristo in Barangay Dap-Dap is believed by many as miraculous as having cured the sick and saved his people from different calamities. Several hundreds of people trooped to this coastal village (Dap-Dap) every Friday to seek relief and blessings, and a foot procession are held at nighttime in the barangay to spread his love and protection. The very recent manifestation of Sto. Cristo’s presence in the barangay is at “Kapuntukan Hill”, otherwise known as the Sleeping Lion Hill, where you can see his “sorrowful face” in a photograph taken by young students. This phenomenon or “coincidence”, whatever you call it, has made the devotion to Sto. Cristo even stronger. Cristo Festival continues to draw wider support and participation. Aside from its religious significance, this week-long festivity features different activities on culture and arts, health and sports, civic and social services, fun and entertainment. This year’s highlights of events are as follows:
• Eucharistic Celebration, Grand Motorcade and Opening Ceremonies (May 25, 2011). A simple yet meaningful opening of the week-long festivity followed by a grand motorcade in the major thoroughfares of Legazpi City.
* Inter-Purok Street Dance Presentation (May 25, 2011)- a colorful dance presentation of the youths of the 5 Puroks depicting the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a festival dance competition.
• PBN Variety Show (May 26 2011). A night of fun, games, prizes and surprises featuring the popular radio and TV personalities of DZGB-am, OK-fm and PBN TV6 in Legazpi City.
• Bloodletting Day (May 26, 2011). A blood donation initiative among the barangay officials, health workers, public safety officers, and volunteers in support to the Voluntary Blood Donation Program of the City Health Office and the Department of Health.
• Medical and Dental Mission (May 27, 2011). A social service project for the needy where about 500 indigent families coming from the 13 neighboring coastal barangays are given free medical and dental care.
• Disco Dance Competition (May 27, 2011). Ten (10) of the best dance group in the Magayon Festival face each other again in a rematch to determine the ultimate champion of them all. Hosted by popular Deejays of 97.1 OK-fm.
• Search for the Festival Queen 2011 (May 28, 2011). Watch and see some of the finest beauties from the different barangays in Legazpi City and neighboring municipalities competing for the title as they showcase their talents, beauties and wit in front of thousand cheering audiences .
• “Sabat”---The Torch Procession (May 29, 2011). The visitation of the images of patron saints of the 12 neighboring coastal barangays on May 29 as they are welcomed and joined by Senor Sto. Cristo in a foot procession where a huge number of devotees carries torches and candles.
• “Atod”---The 14th Sto. Cristo Maritime Procession (May 30, 2011). A gesture of hospitality of Sto. Cristo to his visitors where he accompanies back the visiting images to their respective barangays where several hundreds of boat-riding devotees join the celebration.
• Concierto sa Barangay (May 31, 2011). A concert for a cause on the feast day featuring the popular FAB4Z Pop Singers from Manila.
