By Dennis Abrina/PNA

CAVITE CITY, Cavite — The parade of giant cartoon characters made of paper mache highlighted the city’s ‘Bangenge Festival’ celebration in this Y-shaped city on Monday.
Some 46 giant cartoon characters and 9 “Kuneho” (rabbit) entries made by city students and local villages were showcased at Montano Hall and subsequently paraded along the street of San Antonio.
During the festival, the local government unit (LGU), in cooperation with the City Tourism Office, also conducted a Bangenge-making competition and Kuneho-making contest.
The holding of the Bangenge festival became a tradition since 1970.
“Naging tradition na po ng mga taga-Cavite City na gumawa ng Bangenge tuwing sasapit ang kapaskuhan, na malimit ninyong makikita sa mga daan at eskwelahan sa ating lungsod habang ang mga kuneho ay malimit na mga gawa ng mga magaaral ng elementarya dito sa ciudad ng Cavite. (It became a tradition for Bangenge makers in the city every Yuletide season, which you see along the street and schools in our city while the rabbits are usually being made by elementary pupils in the city),” said Councilor Ian Barron, Committee on Tourism Chair, in interview with the Philippine News Agency.
Bangenge can also be seen along the roads of Kawit and Noveleta towns during the Christmas season.
