DANAO CITY, Cebu — The Karansa Festival once again filled the streets and grand stage of Danao City as thousands of Danawanons gathered on September 20 for Karansa Festival 2026, marking 20 years of celebrating the city’s faith, cultural heritage and community spirit.
Ten contingents representing clustered barangays and local schools brought this year’s festival to life through the Street Dancing Competition and Ritual Showdown, transforming the city’s streets into a moving display of music, elaborate costumes, choreography and Danawanon culture.
The same 10-contingent format has been part of recent Karansa celebrations, with the festival traditionally highlighting the signature Karansa movements and the city’s devotion to its patron saint, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva.
This year’s celebration carried added significance as Karansa marked 20 years since its relaunch in 2006, a milestone Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III described as an occasion not only for celebration but also for thanksgiving and reflection.
“This year’s Karansa is the Karansa of thanksgiving. Karansa sa way kinutubang pagpasalamat ngadto sa Kahitas-an. Karansa sa paglaum, Karansa sa talagsaung kadasig sa katawhang Danawanon,” Mayor Nito said in his message during the festival’s main program.
At the heart of this year’s presentations was the story of pamikpikay, Danao’s traditional pottery-making practice that inspired the Karansa dance. Through different interpretations, the competing contingents depicted stories of family, livelihood, tradition and resilience, using the shaping of clay as a reflection of the Danawanon experience.
Mayor Nito carried the same imagery into his message, describing the 2026 celebration as a “Karansa of transformation.”
“Sama sa pagpamikpik nga namugna ang maanindot nga kun gikan sa lapok ug yuta. Pinaagi sa atong kakugi, paglaum, pag-dayung, ug pagsalig sa Kahitas-an, nabag-o nato ang atong pinalanggang Dakbayan,” he said.
The pottery metaphor has also figured prominently in the city’s recent Karansa narrative, with the City Government describing Danao as being shaped like pottery through the patience, unity and hope of its people.
Mayor Nito also reflected on Danao’s recovery from the effects of Typhoon Tino, contrasting streets once affected by mud, debris and floodwaters with the same streets now filled with families celebrating Karansa.
Beyond looking back, the anniversary also placed Karansa within the continuing story of a changing Danao. Mayor Nito highlighted the city’s traditional pottery, natural resources and expanding industries, noting how products made by Danawanon hands now connect the city to wider national and international markets.
Joining the celebration as guest of honor was Japan Consul General Yudai Ueno, whose presence was highlighted by Mayor Durano in the context of the longstanding relationship between Danao and Japanese industries and the observance of the 70th year of Philippines-Japan bilateral relations.
The main program at the Ramon M. Durano Sr. Sports Complex also featured an opening production by the Karansa Performing Arts Alumni, including a re-enactment of pottery-making and the Karansa dance. The evening continued with the Karansa Festival Queen competition, Ritual Showdown and a grand finale bringing all contingents together.
The festival concluded with the proclamation and awarding of winners in the Karansa Festival Queen, Street Dancing and Ritual Showdown competitions, along with the presentation of special awards, followed by a grand fireworks display.
Hugpong sa Maalamong Mananayaw sa Barangay Guinsay emerged with two of the festival’s major honors. The contingent captured the Ritual Showdown championship, while its Festival Queen candidate, Kris Giducos, was crowned Karansa Festival Queen 2026.
(The complete list of Karansa Festival 2026 winners is attached to this press release.)
According to Danao City Police Station, more than 9,000 spectators gathered at Ramon M. Durano Sr. Sports Complex for the celebration. Despite the large turnout, authorities reported no incidents throughout the festivity, marking a safe and orderly culmination of Karansa Festival 2026.
Twenty years after its relaunch, Karansa continues to serve as one of Danao City’s major expressions of cultural heritage and devotion. From the hands of the mamikpikay shaping clay to a new generation of performers carrying the tradition onto the streets and stage, Karansa at 20 reflects both the heritage Danao continues to preserve and the community that continues to shape its story, HERE AND NOW.
Viva Sto. Tomas de Villanueva! Viva Karansa!
