The Smiles of Hane Festival Parade

Anna Gefreliz P. Erpelo

This photo was taken during the 7th Hane Festival of Tanay, Rizal. I was lucky enough to get a spot near the Municipal Hall where the parade usually starts. The photo captures the smiles of the people in the people’s parade. This candid shot captured the energy of the colorfully dressed participants of the street dancing competition and the members of the community who patiently waited along the street to witness the parade. I believe kids miss this kind of experience to be with the community and celebrate the town’s founding anniversary in such a festive mood. Kids have this beaming smile in their eyes when they see familiar faces in the parade. Mothers go out of the house to document their children’s participation in the street dancing competition. I personally love people taking photos and videos during these festive events because at the end of the day these can be part of the shared history of the town. In the past Hane festival, the people’s parade usually starts in the Municipal Hall compound. I feel proud of how the hall transformed from a small wooden building to this grand cemented building. It is a good opportunity also to document how the hall looks like every festivity.      

That year, “smile and shine Tanay” was the tagline of the festival. It captures how people of Tanay love celebrations and the sense of community is very much alive. People of Tanay truly support these kinds of activities as they made effort to witness these events. Not only people from the población actively participate, but the people of the upland of Tanay as well. I am personally more amazed by the performance from the upland barangays of Tanay, because they truly exert effort to be as artistically competitive just like everyone else. For the residents of upland Tanay, there are more challenges to participate in these kind of events, and their being smile is a proof of their perseverance and dedication to let the talents of the youth of upland Tanay to shine.

Title: The smiles of Hane Festival
Creator: Anna Gefreliz P. Erpelo
What: Hane Festival
When: 12th of November
Where: Tanay, Rizal