Stage canopy collapse in Albay injures six students during rehearsal
• A stage canopy at Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City, Albay collapsed during heavy rain, injuring at least six students
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• The students were rehearsing for a dance number when the temporary stage structure gave way due to the weight of pooled rainwater
• The incident has raised questions about the safety and quality of the stage, which is part of a P96 million park renovation project
• Local officials, including Albay Vice Governor Farida Co, are reportedly shouldering the medical expenses of the injured students
A stage canopy collapsed during a heavy downpour at Peñaranda Park on Saturday evening, August 30, 2025, injuring at least six students who were rehearsing a dance number for an upcoming event.
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The incident has cast a spotlight on the safety and structural integrity of the newly-renovated public space.
According to initial reports from the Legazpi City Police, the accident occurred around 5:50 p.m. while approximately 40 students from Bicol College were practicing on the stage.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Tapel, the Legazpi City Police office-in-charge, stated that the intense rain caused a large amount of water to pool on the tarpaulin roof of the temporary stage structure.
The sheer weight of the accumulated rainwater ultimately caused the metal supports to buckle and snap, leading to the abrupt collapse of the canopy.
"Sa lakas ng ulan, napuno ng tubig 'yung trapal. Medyo bumigat ang bubong, nag cause ng crack sa bakal at nahati sa gitna at bumagsak," Tapel explained in an interview.
The students, who were caught by surprise by the sudden collapse, were immediately attended to by emergency responders.
Among the injured, one student was reported to have sustained a laceration and was subsequently confined to a hospital for further treatment and observation. The others were treated for minor injuries.
The incident drew the attention of local government officials, including Albay Governor Noel Rosal, who visited the site to assess the damage and oversee the immediate response.
The governor’s office confirmed that the stage was a part of the controversial P96 million Peñaranda Park renovation project.
The park, which sits across from the Legazpi City Hall and the provincial capital buildings, was being prepared for the Albay District Fiesta Parade and Ola Day celebrations scheduled for the following week.
The project itself has been a subject of scrutiny, with some reports linking the contractor, Hi-tone Construction and Development Corporation/FS Co Builders and Supply (JV), to a prominent local political family.
In a move to assist the victims, Albay Vice Governor Farida Co has reportedly pledged to shoulder the medical expenses of the injured students.
The unfortunate event serves as a critical reminder of the need for rigorous safety standards and careful oversight in public infrastructure projects.
While a statement from the city police attributed the cause to the weather and a design flaw in the temporary canopy, the incident has raised questions about the overall quality of the construction and the materials used for the public's safety.
Authorities have since closed off the affected area of the park as a temporary measure while a thorough investigation is underway.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.
In other news, a 53-year-old Filipino tourist died at Hong Kong Disneyland after a medical emergency on the "Frozen Ever After" boat ride. The man, who had a decade-long history of heart disease, lost consciousness while on the ride and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed the fatality and is assisting the family with the repatriation of his remains. Hong Kong Disneyland stated that their initial investigation found the incident was not related to ride safety.
Still in other news, a Meralco employee who was set to retire at the end of the month was fatally shot in a road rage incident in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The suspect, the driver of a red car, has been identified by police through his vehicle's plate number, but he has since fled. CCTV footage captured the altercation between the victim's Meralco vehicle and the suspect's car before the shooting occurred. The suspect will be charged with murder, as authorities continue their manhunt to locate him.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
