Out-of-town contingents to wow spectators

CEBU, Philippines — Now on their last stage of preparation, contingents are working on finalizing their performances and props to showcase yet another splendid Sinulog festival.

“We’ve been practicing for close to two months, ang challenge lang is layo ang mga bata so lisod ang pag gather and practice. But, we come to Cebu prepared,” said Ryan Rafael, North Cotabato Executive Assistant and Provincial Youth Development Officer.

Aside from thanks giving to Señor Sto. Niño, neighboring provinces join the annual celebration to make their respective localities known, especially to tourists. This is their way to boost tourism and investments that in turn will benefit the locals.

The out-of-town participants of this year’s Grand Parade include Tribu Katbalaugan of Catbalogan City, Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog, Leyte, Kulturang Panglaoanon of Panglao, Bohol and a contingent from North Cotabato.

North Cotabato’s contingent is the lone group hailing from Mindanao and has travelled the longest distance among all the other contingents.

Their entry this year will feature the gathering of the different local tribes as a way of thanks giving to Sr. Sto. Niño.

Rafael told The Freeman that their return in the Sinulog stage after a two-year break will also be different from the previous years since all 195 dancers are Muslim youths.

“They need exposure especially coming from malayona area. This is to show to these children na dili mag rebelde. The government is making ways to expose them culturally and traditionally by joining a Catholic festivity,” Rafael said.

Another much awaited contingent is the Tribu Katbalaugan of Catbalogan, Samar who has been bagging different awards since it joined Sinulog four years ago.

Known for advocating environmental protection, this year’s performance will highlight a ‘future city’ that exemplifies the balance between progress and protection of nature together with people’s strengthened faith in the Holy Child Jesus.

“This year, we merged all our concepts from 2015 to show to everyone that sustainability and development is possible,” Ador Hurtado, TribuKatbalaugan coordinator, said.

Fast paced routines, gigantic props and continuity of their performance are among the improvements they have looked into coming in this year’s competition.

Also participating in this year’s Grand Parade is Tribu Kandaya from the neighboring island of Daanbantayan that will showcase 100 faces of Sr. Sto. Niño, as well as the different colors of the Holy Child.

Mark Luche, head choreographer, said that their purpose of joining this year’s Sinulog is not to win but to thank the Sto. Niño for the blessings that the town and the people have received.

Coordinators say the unpredictable weather is one of the challenges they had to deal with during the preliminary preparations.

With a shorter Grand Parade route, Hurtado of Catbalogan said this is a welcome development for all the contingents.

“Before ang labanan is LED lights man, with the shorter route expected na earlier mahuman so ma level off ra ang performance and ang focus is on the dance, costumes and props,” Hurtado said.

The popular and multi-awarded Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog, Leyte will make a comeback in this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade.

Abuyog Mayor Lemuel Traya said as they showcase their jaw-dropping dance routine in the ritual showdown, they are aiming to win again.

“Yes, siyempre, kung sa una ang molupad nabuyog kay naa ra sa duha, tulo or upat, karon kay daghan na,” he told The FREEMAN.

TribuBuyoganon won first prize in the free interpretation category 2011 and second place in 2009.

On Sunday, they are going to present a story that they have overcome all the challenges their town has encountered with the help of Señor Santo Niño.

“Well, this is the new set of dancers kay nagikan ni sila sa usa ka school nga maoy champion sa amo ang Buyogan Festival,” Traya said.

Every 29th of August, Abuyog celebrates the Buyogan Festival depicting the origin of the town’s name in a well-choreographed dance.

Traya admitted that because of budget constraints, they failed to join last year’s Sinulog competition.

But this year, the municipality set aside a budget to fund the presentation which has reached P10 million.

At 5 p.m. yesterday, 430 dancers, props men and musicians arrived from Abuyog in Cebu City.

The Tribu Buyoganonare billeted at the Cebu City Central School situated near the Cebu City Sports Center. (FREEMAN)