Show goes on for Pasil dancers

CEBU, Philippines — Despite knowing that he does not have a house to return to after performing because of the massive fire that hit Barangay Pasil yesterday afternoon, Jack Raven Reyes went on to perform in the Sinulog sa Barangay sa Dakbayan.

Reyes was among the 30 dancers and props men of Barangay Pasil contingent, whose houses were razed by fire.

“Wala niuli ug nipadayon ko og sayaw kay gusto ko makahalad ni Sto. Niño,” Reyes said in between tears.

Hours before the group performed, Reyes fainted and was immediately attended to by his group mates. That was the time he knew that his house was destroyed by the fire at 12:29 p.m. in Sitio Lawis.

“Blanko akong huna-huna bisag gasayaw pero nakasag-o gihapon tungod gigiyahan ming Sto. Niño,” Reyes said.

“While gasayaw, sige ko’g pangadye nga maayo untag dili tinuod nga nasunog amoa pero naka hunahuna pod ko nga wala nakoy mahimo maong nipadayon gyod ko,” he added.

Crowds were cheering when the contingent from the fire-stricken barangay performed on stage since there was an initial announcement by Mayor Tomas Osmeña that the group will not be performing because of the fire.

Tribu Mahugyawong Pasil won third in street dancing with P20,000 cash prize and a trophy.

Ronnie Roy Ponla, choreographer and one of the dancers, said he was talking to the dancers to never give up and entrust their problems to the Holy Child to succeed in their performance.

“Pareha sa among concept nga about sa native people nga wala nituo og Sto. Niño kay ilang gituohan unggoy pa maong gi-atak sila sa laing native people ug tungod sa Sto. Niño, na-heal sila. Bisan nasunogan mi, naa gihapon among pagtuo ni Sto. Niño nga giyahan mi niya,” Ponla said.

He said he never thought that their performance would be applauded by the crowd.

Seeing and hearing the support of the crowd gave them strength to finish performing even if there were blank spots for dancers and props men that were not filled because they were rushing home, he said.

Upon hearing the incident, Ponla said he did not stop the dancers, props men, and staff to go home and prioritized their families.

“Half sa dancers ug half sa props men ang nilakaw. Gi-gather dayon namo ang performers para makahunahuna mi og paagi nga daghan man ang nanguli. Gikaloy-an gihapon mi ni Sto. Niño kay wala nayagaw among sayaw,” he said.

“Amo na lang gi-adjust among sayaw instead nga daghan kaayo og lihok among props, among props wala na lang gamita kay tanang pahak-pahak amo na lang gipakupot atong dili ilang props, steady na lang jud as long as naay macover sa luyo,” he added.

The group has 92 dancers and 135 props men.

“Among kaguol among kahuot sa dughan among gipagawas didto while nag-dance mi nga nag-pray,” Ponla said. (FREEMAN)