Capping off the vibrant celebration of Sakayan Festival 2025, the City Government of Isabela through its City Tourism Office successfully held the Eksena 2025: The HAPIsabela Employees Talent Exposition and Sakayan Parangal Awarding and Closing Ceremony on May 2, at the Amphitheatre, Fuego-Fuego Beachfront in Barangay Tabiawan.
In her welcome remarks, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all agencies, private institutions, and security sectors for ensuring a safe and joyful celebration. She congratulated the organizers, participants, and contestants for their contributions and emphasized the importance of continuously elevating the standards of governance and development. She also highlighted that the people of Isabela and Basilan now have every reason to be proud of their identity and must continue to dream bigger, noting, “We have proven that nothing is impossible.”
The event featured dynamic performances and competitions, including the IsaBAILE: The LGU-wide Dance Face-Off and Dos Vozes: The Doble Kara Singing Face-Off. IsaBAILE was judged by Verlyn Garciano from Baliwasan Senior High School – Stand Alone, Heinrich Siose from Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University, and Mark Anthony Basilio, Founder and Artistic Director of Nawan Dance Ensemble Philippines Inc. Meanwhile, Dos Vozes featured a panel of judges composed of Czen Micah Reganit from Tarlac City, Janice Cañada from Zamboanga City, and Engr. Ghalib Al-Gazie Jundam, the Primary Representative of the Local Youth Development Council of Zamboanga City.
Cluster 1 (Uno, Isa Pa), composed of the City General Services Office, City Veterinary Office, and City Cooperative, emerged as Champion in IsaBAILE with their performance. Second place went to Cluster 2 (Sakayan Movers), composed of the City Assessor’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, and City Engineering Office. Cluster 6 (Retro Six), with performers from the City Population Management and Development Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Health Office, and City Social Welfare and Development Office, earned third place with their piece.
In the Dos Vozes competition, Engr. Rall Harvey Hadap from Cluster 5 was declared Champion. Second place went to Ar. Marie Grace Tipa from Cluster 2, while Roy Vincent de Guzman from Cluster 1 took third place.
A special citation was also awarded to Anak Mindanao for its contributions, while contest winners graced the stage with encore performances, bringing energy and entertainment to the evening. The night concluded with a video presentation highlighting the memorable moments of the festival, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
The awarding ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Provincial District 1 Board Member Ahmed Ibn Djaliv Hataman, Councilors James Abner Rodriguez, Ar-Jhemar Ajibon, Karel Annjaiza Sakkalahul, IPMR Mary May Julhari, and SK Federation President Naila Belleng, various Punong Barangays, city departments heads and personnel.
Sakayan Parangal awards were also given for various contests:
Sakayan Festival Boat Float Competition
Champion: Basilan Medical Center (BMC)
Second Place: DepEd Isabela City Schools Division Office
Third Place: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Sakayan Boat Making Contest
Champion: Sharwina Hamisan
Second Place: Erieka Joyce De Jesus
Third Place: Haiser Salain
Bene ya KUSIna: The LGU Employees Cooking Contest
Champion: Cluster 4
Second Place: Cluster 6
Third Place: Cluster 5
Mystery Ingredient Challenge: Cluster 4
My Boat Story: Essay Writing Contest
Champion: Basilan National High School
Second Place: Tandung Ahas National High School
Third Place: Malamawi National High School
Quizabela 5.0: The Quiz Show
Champion: Malamawi National High School
Second Place: Tandung Ahas National High School
Third Place: Isabela City National High School
Sakayan Jingle Contest:
Champion: Layag na sa Makulay na Isabela by Airodale and Airodane Paragas
Second Place: Isang Isabeleño by Aarol Fernandez
Third Place: Iba ka Isabela by Joy Saavedra
FB Online Favorite: Isabela MaganDAH by Dave Crisostomo
