City Mayor Eric Singson and Congresswoman Kristine Singson-Meehan led the Candon City delegation in receiving the masterfully designed trophy and ₱2 million cash prize from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos for the champion float, “Ikkis ti Candon” (Cry of Candon), during the awarding ceremony held at Malacañang Palace on July 10, 2025.
The Ikkis ti Candon float was declared the grand winner of the Parada ng Kalayaan Historical Float Design Competition, one of the highlights of the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration.
Joining Mayor Singson and Congresswoman Singson-Meehan were City Vice Mayor Kristelle Singson; City Councilors Eric “Owen” Singson Jr., Lerisa Llanes, and George Valdez; Executive Assistant to the Mayor Tony Gagarin; City Legal Officer Edsel Abella; and Eduard Yu, designer of the award-winning float, who also graced the momentous occasion.
Also part of the Candon City delegation were City Information Officer and Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 Coordinator Leoncio Balbin Jr., along with Tobacco Festival dancers Lea Molina and Jera Mei Castillo.
